Donda West (Kanye’s Mama) Has Died
Donda West, mother of Kanye West and former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department, has died, a spokesman for the rapper said. She was 58. Donda West died Saturday night in Los Angeles, said the spokesman, who asked for anonymity because not all family members had been notified. “The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief,” the spokesman said. A cause of death has not been released. Donda West was known for the strong bond she shared with her son, by whose side she was often seen at parties and award shows. Kanye West, 30, often spoke of his close relationship with his mother, who raised him alone after her husband left when Kanye was 3.
She was the inspiration for the song, “Hey Mama,” on Kanye West’s 2005 album “Late Registration,” in which he sings: “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.”
Donda West frequently defended her son against critics who accused him of penning misogynistic lyrics and other purported transgressions.
“I support my baby,” she said in a Chicago Sun-Times interview. “He is telling how he feels and he is speaking the truth as he sees it.”
In May, she published the book “Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star,” in which she paid homage to her famous son.
Donda West served as chief executive of West Brands LLC, the parent company of her son’s business enterprises, and as chairwoman of the Kanye West Foundation, an educational nonprofit that works to decrease dropout rates and improve literacy.
Kanye West told the Associated Press in August that he and his mother worked together to devise the foundation’s first program, “Loop Dreams,” which helps public school students get involved in music.
“Me and my mother were discussing ways to give back and came up with the concept,” he said.
Donda West worked in higher education for 31 years, before leaving academia in 2004 to help manage her son’s career, according to a biography on the Kanye West Foundation’s Web site.
She began working at Chicago State University in 1980 and eventually chaired the school’s English department, according to the site. She started her teaching career in the early 1970s as an instructor at Brown College in Atlanta.
Kanye West’s writing partner Rhymefest lamented Donda West’s death Sunday in an appearance on Chicago radio station WCGI.
“She was everyone’s mom,” Rhymefest said. “A spirit never dies, a spirit lasts forever.”
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Bella_Anais said,
What a tragedy! May she rest in peace … My prayers go out to the family.
mooreperfect said,
Rip Ms. West…. This is so sad….
Amber said,
D. Lewis-Thompson said,
:brownsista: May she rest in peace.
voice said,
what a strong sister god blesses her and her son
Nne said,
This news shocked me this afternoon- just shocked me! My prayers are with Kanye and his family during this troubling time.
WPC said,
I WAS REALLY PRAYING THIS WAS NOT TRUE, IM SO WORRIED FOR KANYE HIM AND HIS MOTHER WERE SO CLOSE……PLEASE GOD GIVE HIM STRENGHT TO MOVE ON.
Des said,
:noway: Everytime I saw Ms. West she was bubbly and full of energy. This is truly unbelieveable and untimely, to say the least. My prayers go out to Kanye and his family.
Chanté said,
It’s not just the fact that he was close to his mother, it’s how it was NEVER afraid to express his love for his mom in public that made their relationship even more special. I remember when he brought her on stage for his first BET Award, I felt like shedding a tear, that was so beautiful. How many rappers do you know today tell their momma in songs how much they love her? That’s one of the credits I’ll always give Kanye no matter his flaws. He always said he talked to his mama on the phone EVERY SINGLE DAY. Rest In Peace Dr West, you were a strong woman did a great job raising that gifted child on your own, he became successful, passionate and unafraid, a trend-setter in his own right. There’s a reason to every experience, I hope it will make him grow stronger, no matter how hard it is, he has to stay strong, that’s the best hommage he could pay to his mother! My prayers go out to the West family.
dark sister said,
poor kanye i love my mama i can’t even imagine life without her that is why you have to let people know you love them everyday my sinceres condoleances kanye stay strong
i love you
Madame Zenobia said,
My hearts go out to him and his family. This is truly a tragic and sad thing
Chey said,
This is really sad and tragic. Kanye and his mother were very close and had a special relationship. My prayers go out to him and his family.
Liyah said,
This is so sad. There is not much else to say. I really have been praying for his strength because they were so close. Gosh…I just feel so sad for him. I don’t know if this is true but there is speculation that she was trying to get some cosmetic surgery and didn’t make it. What ever the cause I pray he will be able to carry on eventually.
KSH said,
Much love and deep condolesences go out the the family!
jumpy said,
Really sorry to hear that my condolences to him and his family
FINE N MELLOW said,
Wow this is really sad, I cant imagine losing my mother. I dont think that pain ever goes away, Iv’e seen it first hand with my husband losing his mom. My condolences to the family and friends. Stay strong.
Amber said,
Amber said,
(OPS!)
OMG YA’LL! THEY SAY THAT SHE GOT KILLED BY HAVEN’T A TUMMY TUCK!!! …NOW I DON’T KNOW THIS IS IT TRUE OR NOT BUT THAT WHAT THEY SAYING …PRAY FOR HIM PEOLPE JUST PRAY… GOD WHAT GOING ON IN THE WORLD
(now i fixed it)
Amber said,
I’m not sure if it was the anesthesia or what, but she never made it out of the operating room alive.”
..I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS THIS HAPPEN TO HER I HOPE THAT’S NOT THE CASE HOW SHE DIE …MAY SHE REST IN PEACE THO. … MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY..
Tomeka said,
:brownsista: There is a season for everything a time to live and a time 2 die. 2 be absent in the body is 2 be present with the lord RIP Ms West.
Official stand up girl said,
Sade-Cherish the day said,
Awww, poor baby, I feel for you Kanye. My mom and aunty lost their father (my grandfather) before father’s day. He was their only parent left. So I know from thier pain how it feels to lose a parent. Its ok Kanye, because your mama is watching over you and guiding and protecting you. Stay strong babe.
Rip Dr. West.
prettyparker said,
I am keeping Kanye and his family in my prayers. I was saddened to read about his mother’s passing because she was always supportive of him and he very truly loved her. They had a wonderful mother/son relationship. God bless them.
Anthony Watson said,
:noway: It is a big thing in Chicago to be close to ur mother. The dad’s out here are usually not around in most cases.
The streets claim lives and Fathers. I’m am in a Daze when it comes to this. Kanye is a good dude always on top of the world. Who would think that this would happen to him. All i can do is pray for Kanye’s sanity. He’ll see her again. R. I.P. Donda West
Real Talk said,
It’s so sad to hear this news
. I have faith that he will be ok. My heart and love goes out to Kanye West and his family.
TINA said,
My prayers and condolences goes out to Kanye and his family. It’s a very devastating situation to be in losing someone you love so much and for that person to be your mother at that, it hurts. I keep close to my mom and I’m so glad he did too.
Amber said,
Chad said,
Kanye is going to need a whole lot of love and support right now. A mother’s love can never be duplicated.My respects go out to him and his loved ones.
S. Dot said,
So Sad. My heart goes out to him and his family!~
STEF said,
I WAS REALLY HATE WHAT HAPPENED TO KANYE’S MOM, SHE WAS SO EDUCATED AND INTELLINENT, WITHOUT HER HE’D BE NOTHING..MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE.
:bowdown:
*****************************
MAYBE THIS INCIDENT WILL HUMBLE KANYE A LITTLE BIT AND HE’LL STOP WALKING AROUND WITH HIS HEAD AND EGO UP HIS A**ACTING LIKE HE’S THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER ON EARTH … MAYBE NOW HE’LL UNDERSTAND HOW VUNERABLE HE REALLY IS…ALTHOUGH HE IS A GOOD ARTIST I NEVER CARED FOR KANYE’S PERSONALITY AT ALL…BUT MUCH LOVE AND PROPS TO HIS MOTHER BECAUSE SHE’S THE REAL SUPERSTAR!
:thumbsup:
STEF said,
TYPO: I REALLY HATE WHAT HAPPENED TO KANYE’S MOM.
voice said,
“mAYBE THIS INCIDENT WILL HUMBLE KANYE A LITTLE BIT AND HE’LL STOP WALKING AROUND WITH HIS HEAD AND EGO UP HIS A**ACTING LIKE HE’S THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER ON EARTH” :loser: :noway:
OFFICIAL STAND UP GIRL said,
VOICE!! YOU STILL GOTTA SEE THE FACT THAT HIS MOTHER HAS PASSED AWAY. NOT SO MUCH OF HIS HEAD AND EGO STUCK UP HIS ***. IF ANYTHING COMMENTS LIKE YOURS WOULD REALLY PISS HIM OFF, AND MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE. :stop:
TINA said,
^^I think Voice was disagreeing with what Stef had said.^^
dark sister said,
TO STEF : i know its your opinion we can’t take it away from you but its like those people that tell you “ï ‘m sorry for your lost but you still have to come to work ” it’s not false because god doesnt send a check to the bills collector but it’s still like where is your humanity ??????
That man is living a nigthmare maybe you don’t have a strong relationship with your relatives but i love my mother and sisters dearly and i know i would be down if something happens to them your comment was mean and unecessary even when you resent or dislike someone you have to ease in front of pain and something as devastating as death… HOPE YOU NEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND REGRET YOUR STATEMENT
GOD BLESS……
TINA said,
That’s right and Stef nobody is perfect and kayne is not the only person that wants to stay on top. Besides that Kanye is a very good rapper anyway he’s better than alot these so-called or cookie-cutter rappers today…atleast his music makes alot of sense. So he has every right to demand his proper respect. But that’s beyond the point it’s his mother that we all are trying to pay respect to now so let’s just keep it that way.
voice said,
official: i was disagreing
STEF said,
For all of you none readers, I never said anything bad in reference to Kanye’s mother passing away, I give his mother much respect for being the great woman she was and I did state that in my staement, IF YOU CAN READ. I simply said I don’t care for his attitide and ego and maybe this situation will humble him a little bit. My comment was toward his attitude nothing more. And YES Kanye is a great artist but he is a a**hole. This is the same man who called bi-racial women muts. I don’t care if he is a good rapper that doesn’t mean he gets a free pass to be an arrogent a-hole nor does it excuse his behavior.
:loser: :booty:
TINA said,
Stef I’m goin respond to you even though you wasn’t just referring your statement to me. First off I read everything you wrote and we all paid our respects to kanye’s mother. Now I can’t tell you what to type but in my opinion kanye right now don’t need people criticizing him because of his drive to be the best rap artist he can be of today’s music. Yes he had a somewhat ego problem but who doesn’t? who doesn’t want to be on top in music, movies, lawyers, or in any other career field whether they want to admit it out loud or keep it inside. Kanye is not the only person that shows that desire…do you have to take a hint of who else? You don’t have to like kanye but you also don’t have to kick him while he’s already down. Now IF YOU CAN READ, then maybe you can understand that. :loser:
dark sister said,
don’t you call no one none readers your comment was wicked i never told you that i wasnt disturbed by kanye’s cokiness i’m always disturbed by cockiness i feel the same way about a certain stripper in the industry but if something happened to her or her parents rigth now? i wouldn’t be in here talking about
“in her face!maybe now she’ll realize she aint all that haha ” it is so mean especially given the condition he didnt fall down the stairs or lose a face off he lost his mama god damn don’t you have any sensivity yes you paid your respects and bla bla bla but the comment you made rigth after was out of line and makes you look so fake in your condoleances almost like you’re happy that happened i can’t strongly dislike someone but i still haVE A HUMAN SIDE AND I’M SCARED OF THE FACT THAT DEATH WON’T STOP SOME PEOPLE from being nasty……
i know a lot about resenting people that try to act like they are not human but there is some limits and rigth there you’re showing total dehumanization….
sad….
Lady said,
RIP Ms. Donda West.
I don’t drink so here’s a little :koolaid: for a great sister.
dark sister said,
lady :iagree: