Singer/songwriter of this era He may seem like another rapper to you, but if you actually listen to his lyrics, you can see that he is not like any rapper. His name is Kanye West and he was born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the “ghetto” and learned to appreciate life. He didn't learn to truly appreciate life until October 2002. While returning to his hotel late at night after a recording session, the new rap/hip-hop artist was involved in a devastating car accident, almost fatal. The accident left him with a broken jaw in three places and an appreciation for life. Just weeks after his release from the hospital, he recorded his first big hit, “Through the Wire,” with his mouth still closed. He records every song like it's his last song and it makes each song better than the last. He is not only a rap artist but also a producer. He is behind songs like Jay-Z's Izzo, Girls, Girls, Girls, The Takeover and 03 Bonnie and Clyde. “Through the Wire” was his first hit and it hit hard. With lyrics like: I must have an angel/ 'Cause death missed his ass/ Unbreakable/ How did you think they called me Mr. Glass/ I look at my life like the ghost of Christmas past/ Toys R Us where I used to do it. spend this Christmas money/ And I still won't grow up/ I'm a grown child/ So I should be like the other stupid shit I've done/ But I'm a champion/ So I turned tragedy into triumph/ Make music that's fire / Spit my soul through the wires. Read the lyrics and you'll understand why it's so universal. If you listen to the beats and the rhythm, you'll really understand. One of his most controversial songs was released later in his career, it was called "Jesus Walks." A lot of people didn't want this song played but on the radio. I did it anyway, just like MTV. There's a verse in the song that makes you appreciate his work: To the scammers, killers, murderers, drug dealers, even to us idiots.../(Jesus walks with them!)/To the victims of welfare , we have the feeling of living in hell. here, hell yeah.../(Jesus walks with them!)/Now listen, you hear, you want to see yourself more clearly/I know He hears me when my feet are tired/'Cause we're almost about to see you.