Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar [Hardcover]

Donda West (Author), Karen Hunter (Author), Kanye West (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2007

The mother of rapper and music producer Kanye West tells her story in this hardcover book, including never before seen photos. Donda will talk about her life as a single mother and the difficulties she faced in raising a son in the African-American community. She not only worked full time as a teacher and attending night school, later achieved her doctorate. She and Kanye did a few years abroad when she was a travelling professor. Donda will share personal and private stories of her life with Kanye and her later experiences as his manager as he rose to superstardom.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Donda West previously served as the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University.

Karen Hunter is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, a celebrated radio talk-show host, and co-author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Confessions of a Video Vixen, On the Down Low, and Wendy's Got the Heat. She is also an assistant professor in the Film & Media Department at Hunter College

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; 1st Pocket Bks Hardcover Ed 2007 edition (May 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416544704
• ISBN-13: 978-1416544708
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #912,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Actually enjoyed this book more than I would have thought., June 10, 2007

By 

Book Lover (Pembroke Pines, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar (Hardcover)

Donda West, English college professor, and unlikely mother of rap superstar Kanye West had some interesting points to make about parenting. She says she made sure that she raised Kanye to be respectful but also to be truthful -- hence his famous rant that George Bush doesn't care about black people. On the other hand, when Kanye fell asleep at the wheel in a car accident, the insurance company broker advised him to say he had been trying to avoid another car in order to get paid out. He refused to do that either. Growing up, she pretty much gave Kanye anything he wanted, in return for doing his chores and whatever else was expected. (I was surprised when she gave him $1,000 to buy recording equipment at age 13!) My biggest problem was that she had changed her opinion of the N-word and found it acceptable speech because words shouldn't have that much weight. Could that have ANYTHING at all to do with the fact that her son uses it alot in his music and she is involved in managing him? Hmmm. All in all, a fast entertainng read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So sweet, February 20, 2009

By 

Jaxa "Jaxa" (Las vegas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar (Hardcover)

I was fascinated with Kanye long before this book came out or his mother passed, but this book made me love him that much more.
It gives you a look into his world before all the money and fame.
It portrays a young, hungry kid who's wanted nothing more in his life.
Easy read, finished in 3 days!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raising Kanye: A typical son, June 27, 2007

By 

Soraya Scaife "soraya10" (Stafford, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar (Hardcover)

I think that this is a very good book. Ms. Donda West was inspiring to a mother raising a son in this period in history. She was practical, encouraging and frank. I feel that Donda's parenting techniques adds a dose of reality in today's society. She recognized the differences, yet affirmed her basic beliefs and standards for life.
Congratulations Donda West, you pressure developed a jewel.