Kanye West is a star. His music has jumped from sensation to staple in the rap industry, while his personality, his philosophies, and his willingness to speak out for what he believes in regularly place him at the center of controversy. "Kanye West: A Biography" traces the star's life from his birth through the present day to paint a detailed picture of the artist and the man.

Raised by a single mother who was an English professor in Chicago, West admits he came from "the wrong side of the mall" rather than the wrong side of the tracks. His name, his style, and the way he conducts his...