iSound

Kanye West grew up in Chicago. He got into the music industry when he began producing rap artist, Mase’s album entitled Harlem World. He soon, however, caught the attention of Jay-Z. In 2000, West contributed to Jay-Z’s album entitled Dynsaty: Roc La Familia. Most notably, he helped out on the track, “This Can’t Be Life.” He continued his work with Jay-Z on Jay-Z’s album, Blueprint. West can be heard on the tracks “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “Takeover.”

In October 2002, West’s life nearly ended when he was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident. The artist was leaving a Los Angeles recording session and heading to his hotel when the accident occurred. West, who suffered a fractured jaw in three places, shocked everyone when only months after the crash he went back to recording (his mouth was still literally wired shut). It was at this time when he recorded, “Through the Wire.”

In 2003, West produced Jay-Z’s “03 Bonnie and Clyde.” In January 2004, West’s singl...