[Posted Nov. 16, 2007]

Kanye West Mourns Loss of Mother

New Journal and Guide

By Tanya Christian

Associated Reporter

      Dr. Donda West, mother of Grammy Award winning artist Kanye West, died Saturday evening, November 10 2007, at a Los Angeles hospital. She was 58.

      Although the official cause of death is still being investigated, there is speculation that West died from complications with plastic surgery. West, the former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English Department, went into the office of Dr. Jan Adams for a breast reduction and tummy tuck on the afternoon of Friday, November 9, 2007, and was pronounced dead the following day.

      A spokesman for the West family said, “The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief.”

     West was known for the unyielding support she showed toward her son. Their strong bond served as inspiration for his song entitled, “Hey Mama,” from his sophomore album, “Late Registration.” In it 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 served as chief executive of West Brands LLC, and as chairwoman of the Kanye West Foundation, an educational nonprofit that works to decrease dropout rates and improve literacy.

      In May, she published the book, “Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star.”

      On Thursday evening, Kanye West cancelled an appearance at the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion in Los Angeles, to mourn his mother’s death.

      In a statement by the rapper he says, “In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr West’s name to the Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute. Those donations can be made by visiting the Foundations website, kanyewestfoundation.org or by mail at Kanye West Foundation, 8560 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.

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