Arguably one of the most influential artists and producers of his generation, Kanye West - now known as Ye - set a new bar for hip-hop production in the 2000s and 2010s.
He got his start by creating beats for stars including Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, before chomping up the charts in his own right.
His 2003 debut single, Through the Wire, was written from a hospital bed and recorded with his head in a brace following a car accident.
For the next decade, he was unassailable, with hits such as Stronger, Gold Digger and Heartless pushing the boundaries of rap.
But over the years, his career has frequently been derailed by impulsive outbursts, antisemitic tirades and racist statements, among other controversies. The latest furore is over his headline booking at this year's Wireless Festival. It has now led to the cancellation of the festival after the government blocked the rapper from travelling to the UK.
