Posted November 11, 2007 — Dr. Donda West, the mother and manager of rapper Kanye West passed away suddenly Saturday in Los Angeles. She was 58.
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A spokesman for West confirmed to The Chicago Sun Times that the former college professor had died on Saturday (Nov. 10) evening.
“I have no other comment except to confirm that she has passed,” the spokesman told the Times via email. “The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief.”
Kanye had just arrived in London when he received the news. He is returning to Los Angeles.
Donda West was the former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department where she worked for 31 years. She left in 2004 to help her son’s career, becoming the CEO of SuperGood, the parent company for Kanye West Enterprises. Earlier this year, she published a book called Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star.
West was well-known as being especially close to his mother, writing a song about her called “Hey Mama” which appeared on his 2005 CD Late Registration. He performed the song, with his mother in attendance, on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” In 2005, he told the Chicago Sun-Times, “I never make any important decision without consulting her.”
Although a cause of death has not been released, it is rumored to have stemmed from a surgical procedure.
Check BET.com for updates as the story develops and for funeral arrangements as they are released.
Damn, Boo. Sorry to hear that. I noticed the link aint say nothing but that he died so I was like da hell kinda obit….. but thats terrible though, I hope yall all alright out there.
November 12, 2007 @ 10:10 am
condolences willy
RIP to your friend
November 12, 2007 @ 10:34 am
Sorry to hear that, homie.
Im tryna decide right now if IM going to this wake tonight. The father of my first kiss died a few days ago. Not sure. The jury’s still out…..
November 12, 2007 @ 10:47 am
im sorry to hear that Willy.
My condolences
November 12, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Seems like it’s a bad weekend…my grandmother died Friday as well.
Sorry for your loss, Willy.
November 12, 2007 @ 11:06 am
I hate death
November 12, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Per BET
Posted November 11, 2007 — Dr. Donda West, the mother and manager of rapper Kanye West passed away suddenly Saturday in Los Angeles. She was 58.
Advertisement
A spokesman for West confirmed to The Chicago Sun Times that the former college professor had died on Saturday (Nov. 10) evening.
“I have no other comment except to confirm that she has passed,” the spokesman told the Times via email. “The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief.”
Kanye had just arrived in London when he received the news. He is returning to Los Angeles.
Donda West was the former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department where she worked for 31 years. She left in 2004 to help her son’s career, becoming the CEO of SuperGood, the parent company for Kanye West Enterprises. Earlier this year, she published a book called Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star.
West was well-known as being especially close to his mother, writing a song about her called “Hey Mama” which appeared on his 2005 CD Late Registration. He performed the song, with his mother in attendance, on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” In 2005, he told the Chicago Sun-Times, “I never make any important decision without consulting her.”
Although a cause of death has not been released, it is rumored to have stemmed from a surgical procedure.
Check BET.com for updates as the story develops and for funeral arrangements as they are released.
November 12, 2007 @ 11:46 am
Sorry to hear that jae.
Thanks everyone.
Damn, Kanye mama died the same night…
November 12, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Willy, if you dont mind my asking, what happened?
November 12, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Drug overdose.
He was 27.
Meth.
Mother found him @ 10p.m. Saturday.
November 12, 2007 @ 11:59 am
ok now im feeling like crying, that is so sad. Love my mama, she gets on my nerves but i couldnt imagine what id do without her.
November 12, 2007 @ 11:59 am
OMG willy
November 12, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
Damn, Boo. Sorry to hear that. I noticed the link aint say nothing but that he died so I was like da hell kinda obit….. but thats terrible though, I hope yall all alright out there.
November 12, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Everybody is coming back for the funeral Thursday…
first reunion of all of us since new years 2003 or 04 prolly…
Fucked up under these circumstances.
Man Tears.
November 12, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
God bless fam
sorry to hear that
same to CEC and Jaz
November 12, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Thanks banga.
November 13, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
Condolences @ Willy and respect to the fam.