Kanye West Then & Now: Photos of the Rapper From His Young Days to Superstardom

By:

Elissa Anderson

December 26, 2023 10:16AM EST

Kanye West

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Kanye West, the rapper, fashion designer, and sometimes politician was born June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia.

He first made his mark with the 2004 album The College Dropout. His following albums include Late Registration (2005); Graduation (2007); 808s & Heartbreak (2008); My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010); Yeezus (2013); The Life of Pablo (2016); Donda (2021) and Vultures (2023). Scroll through the gallery below to see photos of Kanye West over his years in the spotlight.

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Kanye West In NYC

Kanye West In NYC — Kanye West poses on a rooftop in the Soho section of New York. He was on the cusp of superstardom.

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Kanye West Wins At The 2005 Grammys

Kanye West Wins At The 2005 Grammys — Kanye West juggles three trophies backstage at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 13, 2005. He looked handsome in an all white suit for his big night.

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Kanye West In 2006

Kanye West In 2006 — Kanye West attends an event celebrating Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs on Oct. 16, 2006. He looked laid back in grey.

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Kanye West In 2007

Kanye West In 2007 — Kanye West takes the stage during the T on the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland on Aug. 16, 2007. He got the crowd going.

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Kanye West In 2008

Kanye West In 2008 — Kanye West is preppy in glasses and a bow tie during Yves Saint Laurent’s Autumn / Winter 2008 – 2009 show at Paris Fashion Week on Feb. 28, 2008. He snapped a photo back at the photographer.

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Kanye West & Amber Rose In 2009

Kanye West & Amber Rose In 2009 — Kanye West and Amber Rose attend amfAR’s Inaugural Milan Fashion Week Event on Sep. 28, 2009. The then-couple looked cool in leather. Their relationship would last from 2008 to 2010 but later Kanye would cruelly mock his ex in an internet spat with her baby daddy Wiz Khalifa.

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Kanye West In 2010

Kanye West In 2010 — Kanye West dons all black for Rodarte’s Spring 201 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York on Sep. 14, 2010. He looked cool while leaning against the wall.

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Kanye West At The 2011 Met Gala

Kanye West At The 2011 Met Gala — Kanye West is sharp at the 2011 Costume Institute Gala Benefit celebrating ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ on May 2, 2011. While he’s known for his fashion-forward approach to the red carpet, he looked classic in his black tux.

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Kanye West In 2011

Kanye West In 2011 — Kanye West attends Celine’s Spring Summer 2012 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 2, 2011. He wore a jean jacket and cross necklace with casual duds.

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Kanye West In 2013

Kanye West In 2013 — Kanye West is all smiles at Celine’s Autumn Winter 2013 show during Paris Fashion Week on Mar. 3, 2013. He wore a denim look with a fur coat.

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Kanye West & Kim Kardashian In 2014

Kanye West & Kim Kardashian In 2014 — Kim Kardashian holds onto Kanye West’s arm while out and about in Los Angeles onMar. 14, 2014. She wore a red dress and gold heels, clearly before Kayne took over her fashion choices.

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Kanye West & North West In 2015

Kanye West & North West In 2015 — Kanye West takes their daughter North West to ballet class in LA on Nov. 11, 2015. She looked so cute in her olive dance ensemble.

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Kanye West At The 2016 VMAs

Kanye West At The 2016 VMAs — Kanye West throws his hands up while on stage at the VMAs. He wore a white shirt with the name of his track ‘Famous’ written on it in a small type and spoke passionately about gun violence and other social topics.

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Kanye West In 2017

Kanye West In 2017 — Kanye West rocks blonde locks while out and about in New York on Feb. 13, 2017. Proving he was his own best advertisement, he donned a Yeezy jacket and looked so cool.

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Kanye West In 2018

Kanye West In 2018 — All stars! Kanye West holds his son Saint as he waves to fans before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on Sep. 23, 2018. It was a cute father and son bonding moment.

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Kanye West In 2019

Kanye West In 2019 — Kanye West answers questions from Sr. pastor Joel Osteen during the 11 am service at Lakewood Church, in Houston, Texas on Nov. 17, 2019. Kanye has been vocal about his Christian faith through his career, and even began making gospel music later in his career.

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Kanye West In 2021

Kanye West In 2021 — Kanye West makes a surprise guest performance during Future’s set at Rolling Loud California in San Bernadino, California on December 12, 2021. He wore work boots on stage for the festival.

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Kanye West In 2022

Kanye West In 2022 — Kanye West attends a game between the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves in Miami on Mar. 12, 2022. He was with then-girlfriend Chaney Jones.

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