There are plenty of artists who hold their cities down, but Kanye West is undeniably proud of the Chicago streets that helped raise him. Before he became Kim Kardashian's husband and was a rap star raising kids in the affluent Calabasas community, Kanye West was a kid from the South Side of Chicago with a hope and a dream. He worked his way up to build the Yeezy empire that affords him the luxuries he enjoys today, and now it's being reported by WGN 9 News that Ye has purchased his childhood home.
The outlet stated that Donda West, mother to Kanye West, bought the modest home in 1985. She remained there until she sold the South Shore property in 2003, a year before Kanye released The College Dropout. Real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin stated that following Donda selling the home, "it went through a lot of trouble after that."
Later, Rhymefest purchased the property but in 2017 shared that because of its terrible condition, he planned on demolishing what remained and constructing a new building. That didn't happen, and it's reported that Kanye bought the house in 2018 and earlier this month, he received all the necessary paperwork to begin renovations on the property. It's said that Ye bought the home for $225K and is expected to spend $60K on renovations. However, it hasn't been made clear what exact plans he has for his childhood home.
Kanye West Praised For Donating To Charity Helping Chicago’s’ Elderly
Kanye West has partnered with Josephine “Mother” Wade who provides three meals a day for the elderly in his hometown of Chicago.
Rappers often hold down their cities in times of need and Kanye West continues to give back to his hometown of Chicago. Throughout his career, the Windy City native has made sure to care for those in need, especially in Chicago. As this COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic has grounded the world, Kanye West has reportedly partnered with a non-profit to give aid to Chicago’s elderly.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / Getty Images
We Women Empowered founder Josephine “Mother” Wade shared with PEOPLE that the organization is servicing neighborhoods primarily in the South Aide area including “Chatham, Woodlawn, Washington Park, South Shore, Grand Crossing, Englewood, Grand Boulevard, Auburn Gresham and Avalon Park.” It’s their goal to deliver at least three meals per day to the elderly and Kanye West reportedly made a generous donation to make sure Mother and the non-profit will be able to continue to work on behalf of those in need.
“Today when I got that call, that Kanye West wanted to help the elderly in Chicago and he chose his hometown in the South Side, his old neighborhood, I was beyond words,” Mother Wade said. The food provided to the elderly residents comes directly from Mother Wade’s restaurant, Josephine’s Southern Cooking.
“I don’t know how to even put into words the miracle that happened today to change the course of the South Side of Chicago,” Wade said. “I am beyond gratified to know that in all of the suffering we have seen this week, through the tireless work to feed the hurting, hungry and lonely — all of the sudden, out of the clear blue, we get a call from heaven that someone wants to help. And in one phone call, in an instance today, our world was changed.”
Mother Wade added, “He may not even realize it, but I knew his mother [the late Donda West] and I c. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.” How much Kanye West donated remains a secret.
Aside from this contribution, NBC Chicago reports that Kanye has also donated to the Dream Center in Los Angeles. The altruistic non-profit has provided shelter, meals, counseling, job placement serives, and rehabilitation services to the public for years.
Bizzy Bone Thinks Kanye’s Late Mom Told Him Amber Rose Was Wrong For Ye
He said he heard a voice.
Twelve years ago, Kanye West received the devastating news that his mother, Donda West, had passed away. On November 9, 2007, it’s reported that Donda underwent cosmetic surgery—liposuction, a tummy tuck, and a breast reduction—and it seemed to have been successful. However, a complication arose the following day as she recovered at home. Donda was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the emergency room where she later died.
Michael Loccisano / Staff / Getty Images
Kanye has publicly and privately struggled with the tragic incident, understandably, but now Bone Thugs-n-Harmony rapper Bizzy Bone has stated he believes he received a message from Donda years ago. During a discussion on the Domenick Nati Show, Bizzy Bone talked about his last interaction with the Jesus Is King rapper.
“Last time I had an interaction with Kanye was at the We Are The World II reunion and he was walking through with Amber Rose and I heard a voice,” Bizzy recalled, referring to the We Are the World 25 for Haiti session where eighty artists got together to record the charity single back in 2010. “I heard a voice that said, ‘She’s not right for him.’ And all of a sudden I looked up in the sky and I said, ‘Kanye’s mom is that you?’ And that’s the last time I seen him, heard from him, took a picture with him, talked to him. But as far as what he’s doing now, anybody that’s bringing anyone to Jesus is a friend of mine.”
The rapper went on to explain that the voice he heard “sounded like a mother’s voice” and although he was given the message, he wasn’t necessarily supposed to deliver it to Ye or Amber. It didn’t matter much because they figured it all out for themselves and have moved on to have loving, growing families. Kanye, of course, married Kim Kardashian in 2014 and the two have gone on to have four children. Amber recently gave birth to baby Slash whom she shares with boyfriend Alexander Edwards, and she’s also the mother to six-year-old Sebastian whose father is her ex-husband Wix Khalifa.
Listen to Bizzy Bone’s clip with the Domenick Nati Show and check out what else he had to say about his Bone Thugs-n-Harmony groupmates and which one is the “meanest” of the bunch.
