Ode to Kanye West+GQ Magazine Feature Scans+Photoshoot of Kanye and His Mom Donda West

I have grown to have a deep love and respect for this man. I admire him. I adore him. Is it because I find him attractive? I love Kanye but not for his looks. Some might say he's not the finest man in the catalog. He ain't the tallest, not the strongest, not the finest but he has a strength, a hope, a swagger and a spirit that says I'm here. I'm strong. I'm human.

I cry. I don't give a f*ck. I'm too grown, I'm too me to give a f*ck what people have to say. I have what I need; my god, my love, my music, my life. Yes, I'm still here motherf*ckers! Kanye says deez nuts. Kanye is beautiful. Beautifully human in the chords of Jill Scott. Got me singing Lyzel's song. He loves me. But I'm the he that loves him. In actuality a she. But my love is not lust. It's not physical, not financial, not emotional, not fake. It just is like the air that you breath. Like the rivers deep. Like a cloud in the sky. It just bleeds. My love is. Is respect, admiration, my love is inspired. My love is true.

The following bracketed part is what I added later on but the above is what I wrote while commuting from work today thinking of Kanye on the bus on my way to the park and ride, inspired by his GQ pictures which I got courtesy of MsReape.

[Got me singing Lyzel's song. He loves me. But I'm the he that loves she. Minus the cologne and sh*t though I imagine Kanye smells good than a motherf*cker. Plus he dresses his ass off. But that is not why. Over the course of the past few days, the past few weeks, I have grown to see him in a brand new light. It's the beautifully human light that shines so bright. The light that resonates his beautiful soul.]



Ms. West, may you rest in peace. I wish I could've told you that you did not need any surgery. You look beautiful in the photoshoot with your son. I know if you knew what you know now, they say the dead don't know, but you know, you might've made the choice to stay around, if only for Kanye. I know you're in a better place and you're watching on Kanye. He has another guardian angel now.

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

Candids: Kanye West Spotted in Paris, France

I'm happy to see him. He is looking good. Why is it that when someone loses a loved one, they're expected to be broken down and just down and out? Is it because the image of being broken down on the outside shows their pain? Why must one wear their emotions on their person? His life is not over. His mom is gone but he's still here. If she could talk to him now, I'm sure she'd tell him to go on with his life. He won't accomplish anything staying at home in bed depressed and down. I know Kanye is feeling it. Anyone who's lost a loved one knows it. But he does not have to carry it on his sleeve. Kanye, your fans support you. Keep doing what keeps you busy and keeps you going. Much love.

Today, Donda West was laid to rest. Check out video of Kanye and fiancee Alexis greeting well-wishers.

Famous Faces Gather In Spencer To Remember West

POSTED: 10:40 am CST November 20, 2007
UPDATED: 6:47 pm CST November 20, 2007
SPENCER, Okla. -- People from across the country, including some of entertainment's most famous faces, came to the Sooner State to say goodbye to the mother of Kanye West.

Dr. Donda West died on Nov. 10 in Marina Del Rey, Calif., after suffering complications from cosmetic surgery, according to the Los Angeles County coroner. West's parents and brother still live in Oklahoma City, where she attended Douglass High School and where she will be buried.

Her father, Oklahoma City civil rights leader Portwood Williams Sr., described her as a devoted daughter and respected educator.

"We were real close -- very close," said Williams, who often called his youngest child "Big Girl." "She was just No. 1. One in a million. We have four children, and I've never heard them have an argument with each other. She was just a No. 1 person."

A 1967 graduate of Douglass High School, Donda West attended Virginia Union University before receiving her master's degree from Atlanta University and her doctorate from Auburn University in Alabama.

West began her teaching career at Atlanta's Morris Brown College in the early 1970s. A Fulbright scholar, she went on to chair Chicago State University's English department.

Entertainers such as Jay-Z, Beyonce and John Legend attended the funeral.

Source: koco.com - View SlideShow

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

Kanye West - GQ Man Of The Year

Kanye West Covers GQ’s Men of the Year

Kanye West is on one of three separate Men of the Year covers for GQ magazine per USA Today.

The others cover stars are Bill Clinton and Daniel Craig. The issue hit newsstands Nov. 27.

Kanye doesn’t talk about his mother to the magazine, but he does discuss the possibility of marriage to his fiancee, Alexis Phifer.

“I’m just going to go and get married,” Kanye said. “I’m not going to make a big deal out of it. It’s not to prove anything to anyone — it’s for me, for stability in my life, and I’m so happy that I found someone that I really love, that challenges me, that keeps my life interesting, that’s just as crazy as I am.”

Watch the video below of Kanye in concert Saturday in Paris–he breaks down in tears while fans cheered him on. (His mom Donda passed away earlier this month.)

I'm glad he has found stability in Alexis Phifer. God knows he needs it right now. God bless him.

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

Kanye West Speaks To The Fans About His Mom's Passing

Kanye West performed in Brussels, Belgium last night. He spoke to the fans about all the people who call him to tell him to stop touring, stay home and clear his head. He said, "Go home to what, motha******?" He is so right. His mom is not there. His fiancée is touring with him. What is he to go home to now?

Kanye also said that his mom would've wanted him on that stage, to be back there and continue to be number one.

Ye, I admire your strength. God bless you.

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

Video Added - Kanye West Breaks Down in Concert in Paris at Le Zenith

Kanye West Breaks Down at Paris Concert

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2007 09:30 AM EST
By Peter Mikelbank

Kanye West performing in September Photo by: Kevin Parry / WireImage

Only a week after his mother's death, Kanye West returned to the concert stage Saturday night in Paris, only to dramatically break down in tears, audience members tell PEOPLE.

Nearing the end of the more than 60-minute performance, with the riff of "Hey Mama" beginning, West attempted to introduce the tribute to a sold-out crowd at Le Zénith in Paris, saying "this song is for my mother...." and could get no further.

"He just cracked," one attendee tells PEOPLE, "He was at the end of his concert and had just started to dedicate the song and then he just lost it completely, crying onstage for five minutes."

"He said the word, 'Mother' and just couldn't go any further," Le Parisien journalist Meddy Magloire said. "A back-up singer, the DJ and a guitar player came over to console him. It looked like he might collapse. He just couldn't continue. He just stood there in a spotlight, crying while the band continued playing."

After a few moments of stunned silence, Magloire says, the audience of 5,000 reacted by offering calls of encouragement, which grew into applause.

Here is a video of Kanye on stage when he breaks down.

Wow, this video is so sad. It makes me cry. I can feel his pain. Kanye, I am so sorry.

Trying to recover onstage, West restarted the song but was unable to finish. He left the stage, returning after 10-15 minutes to conclude the concert with a rousing performance of "Stronger."

"He was very nervous, seemed to have gathered himself up, and had a lot of energy," Magloire says. "He kept shouting out to the audience, 'I need you... I need you right now.' and the public was screaming back. It was magic."

This breaks my heart. Kanye is trying to get back out there, back to his life and it's just hard. I can only imagine. He had all these scheduled appearances and has already cancelled several. This is his job, how he makes money. He has to continue. He can't just stop. In the corporate world, most people get three days bereavement and then it's back to work. If they happen to have the vacation time, they can use that to take more time off. I'm not sure if FMLA fits in with losing a family member but that's neither here nor there. He has to work but at times he will break down. I am so proud of Kanye. He is going back out there and he is trying despite the pain and emptiness in his heart, the hollowness as a result of his mom's death.

Kanye, my heart goes out to you and I hope that you have the love and support you need at this time.

Story from People.com

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

ABC Reports on Donda West's Death - West Died After Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction

Rap star Kanye West's mother, Donda West, had a tummy tuck and breast reduction performed by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jan Adams before her death, according to the Web site TMZ.com.

Adams told TMZ that he was not responsible for her death, but that she may have died from a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or massive vomiting.

Another plastic surgeon, Andre Aboolian, told ABC News that West consulted him for surgery, too, but he deemed her a health risk and wouldn't operate unless she got clearance from an internist.

Aboolian said he "insisted that she see an internist before he would entertain the surgery because she had a condition that could have caused a heart attack."

Adams also told TMZ that West consulted with him over a period of four months, often changing her mind about the surgery, according to an article on the site.

West, a former chairwoman of the Chicago State University English department, died this Saturday at Centinela Freeman Marina Hospital in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County's coroner's office. She was 58.

Kanye West was reportedly in London, where he has been prepping for his upcoming "Glow in the Dark Tour," when he received the tragic news. He immediately returned to the United States. Family friends say he is absolutely devastated.


Click here to read more on this story at ABC's Website.

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

Tribute Video to Donda West

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

Donda West Warned About Plastic Surgery - 911 Call Made From Her Home

Folks the story is still developing.

Fire Dept. Called to Donda West's Home

http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/12/911-responded-in-donda-west-case/

TMZ has learned Dr. Donda West was at her home when 911 was called.

We're told that at 7:35 PM Saturday night, paramedics responded to a 911 call and transported West to nearby Centinela Freeman Hospital in Marina del Rey. We're told it was a "sick person call."

A hospital spokesperson tells TMZ that an unresponsive West was brought to their ER around 8:00 PM Saturday night. They attempted to resuscitate her, but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead around 8:30 PM that night.

Donda West Warned About Surgery

http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/12/donda-west-warned-about-surgery/

TMZ has learned that just weeks before Donda West died, a plastic surgeon refused to perform procedures on her because of a health condition that could have led to a heart attack.

We've learned Beverly Hills physician, Dr. Andre Aboolian, was set to perform a tummy tuck and breast reduction on Ms. West, but told her she needed to get clearance from an internist whom Dr. Aboolian recommended. We're told West never went to that doctor, and subsequently had the procedures performed -- but not by Dr. Aboolian. Story developping...

Wow, I am speechless. My heart is still aching for Kanye West. I can't even imagine what he is going through. Kanye, know that your fans are thinking of you and praying/supporting you through this very difficult time.

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

CNN Reports on Kanye West's Mom, Donda West's Death

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- The mother of hip-hop mogul Kanye West died following a "cosmetic procedure" in Los Angeles this weekend, her publicist told CNN Monday.

Kanye West and his mother, Donda West, in May 2006.

more photos » But Patricia Green, the publicist for Dr. Donda West, did not give details about the procedure or exactly what the cause of death was.

West died Saturday at the age of 58, confirmed a representative of West's record label, Island Def Jam, who added that "the family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief."

Donda West was a major influence on her son's life, as the music producer-singer-songwriter has often acknowledged. Watch Donda West talk about "Raising Kanye" »

She was the inspiration for the song, "Hey Mama," on Kanye West's 2005 album "Late Registration." Among the lyrics: "Hey Mama, I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you ... I appreciate what you allowed for me. I just want you to be proud of me." Gallery: Donda and Kanye West »

Earlier this year, she released a book she co-authored called "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons From the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar." Watch how Kanye West is mourning »

West retired from her post as professor and chair of the English Department at Chicago State University in 2004 to become her son's manager, according to the Kanye West Foundation Web site.

Kanye West's writing partner Rhymefest lamented Donda West's death Sunday in an appearance on Chicago radio station WCGI, the AP reported.

"She was everyone's mom," Rhymefest said. "A spirit never dies, a spirit lasts forever."

Click here for Rhymefest's statement on WGCI Radio Station.

Source: CNN.com (story and photo)

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

Kanye West's Mother Donda West Has Died - My Heart Goes Out to Kanye West

UPDATED - Audio from WGCI - Rhymefest talks to WGCI about Kanye's Mom Donda West's passing.

WGCI, a radio station in Chicago, Kanye West's hometown, is reporting that Kanye's mom, Dr. Donda West, has passed away. I was hoping and praying that it was just an awful internet rumor but it appears to be true. She allegedly died from an allergic reaction to medicine while getting a breast augmentation and tummy tuck. This saddens me tremendously. I can't even imagine what Kanye is going through right now. My prayers and thoughts are with him and his family. My heart is breaking for Kanye and I have tears in my eyes. Kanye was in London when he got the news and is on his way back to the states. I pray that God gives him strength through this very difficult time.

Kanye wrote a song for his mom called Hey Mama. Listen to it here.



Artist: Kanye West
Album: College Dropout

[Chorus]
(Hey Mama), I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you
Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (Hey Mama)
I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (Hey Mama)

[Verse 1]
I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
This little light of mine and I'm finna let it shine
I'm finna take yall back to them better times
I'm finna talk about my mama if yall don't mind
I was three years old, when you and I moved to the Chi
Late December, harsh winter gave me a cold
You fixed me up something that was good for my soul
Famous homemade chicken soup, can I have another bowl?
You work late nights just to keep on the lights
Mommy got me training wheels so I could keep on my bike
And you would give anything in this world
Michael Jackson leather and a glove, but didn't give me a curl
And you never put no man over me
And I love you for that mommy cant you see?
Seven years old, caught you with tears in your eyes
Cuz a nigga cheatin, telling you lies, then I started to cry
As we knelt on the kitchen floor
I said mommy Imma love you till you don't hurt no more
And when I'm older, you aint gotta work no more
And Imma get you that mansion that we couldn't afford
See you're, unbreakable, unmistakable
Highly capable, lady that's makin loot
A livin legend too, just look at what heaven do
Send us an angel, and I thank you (Hey Mama)

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
Forrest Gump mama said, life is like a box of chocolates
My mama told me go to school, get your doctorate
Somethin to fall back on, you could profit with
But still supported me when I did the opposite
Now I feel like it's things I gotta get
Things I gotta do, just to prove to you
You was getting through, can the choir please
Give me a verse of “You, Are So Beautiful To Me�
Can't you see, you're like a book of poetry
Maya Angelou, Nicky Giovanni, turn one page and there's my mommy
Come on mommy just dance wit me, let the whole world see your dancing feet
Now when I say Hey, yall say Mama, now everybody answer me (Hey Mama)

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
I guess it also depends tho, if my ends low
Second they get up you gon get that Benzo
Tint the windows, ride around the city and let ya friends know (Hey Mama)

[Verse 3]
Tell your job you gotta fake em out
Since you brought me in this world, let me take you out
To a restaurant, upper echelon
Imma get you a jag, whatever else you want
Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda West like?
Tell me the perfect color so I make it just right
It don't gotta be Mother's Day, or your birthday
For me to just call and say (Hey Mama)

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~

50 Cent Making Fun of Kanye West!

HILARIOUS!! I love Kanye West but this video is hilarious!

~:::SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:::~