Mother of Kanye West passes away

WGCI-FM in Chicago is reporting that the mother of Kanye West, Dr. Donda West, has died.

One of Kanye's writers, Rhymefest, who often went to their home when both were neophytes in the music game, said that Kanye called him from London at 10 a.m. CST today to tell him the news.

Miss Info, a gossip celebrity for Atlanta's Hot 97, broke the news on her blog that Donda West died in Los Angeles, and that Kanye is on his way back to the U.S. from London. AllHipHop.com says she died last night.

The Associated Press reports that no cause of death has been released. West was 58.

It was just a month ago that I talked with Donda West on my WVON-AM/Chicago radio show regarding the raising of her son and her new project. The former longtime chair of the English Department at Chicago State University recently published a book, Raising Kayne: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star. It was co-written along with journalist Karen Hunter (Click here to read an excerpt from the book).

Dr. Donda West was formerly the manager for Kanye, but at the time of her death was CEO of West Brands, LLC, which manages all businesses related to him. She also served as chair of the Kanye West Foundation. Read her brief bio here.

Comments

[Musicisourhigh]

Praying for Kanye and his family. May they be comforted and strengthened

[The Come Back Girl]

This is a really sad story. My prayers are with Kanye and his family. You know Dr. West was a special lady to have raised such a smart and talented kid.