Kanye West, an American rapper, musician, record producer, entrepreneur, and fashion designer, took the opportunity to reconcile with his father. Ray West, Kanye West’s father, has pursued a variety of job paths, similar to his son.
Although the 72-year-old has only one son, he has four grandchildren: North West, Saint West, Psalm West, and Chicago West. The rapper’s father’s life has been pretty unique, since he has been involved in a variety of activities.
So, without further ado, let’s have a look at seven interesting facts about Ray West to learn more about him.
Was Married To A Professor Of English
Dr. Donda C. West, an English professor at Clark Atlanta University, was Ray West’s first wife. Ray and Donda had only one child and lived in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kanye’s mother was also the chair of the Chicago State University English Department. She planned to work as the manager for her son after she retired. As part of an exchange program, Ray’s wife worked as a teacher at Nanjing University.
Unfortunately, when Yeezy was just three years old, his parents split. The main cause for their split was due to financial concerns, according to a handful of the rapper’s tracks.
The father of four would live with his mother during the school year and with his father during the summer.
The Black Panthers’ member
Ray West, Kanye West’s father, was a member of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s and 1970s. The party was at its peak from 1966 through 1982, when it was created by college students Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.
Ray’s connection with the party is a closely guarded secret. We can presume Ray believed in anti-fascism, anti-imperialism, anti-racism, anti-capitalism, black pride & power, and black nationalism because the group was known for its brutal views.
The Atlanta Constitution-First Journal’s Black Photojournalists
Ray West became the first black photojournalist for the Atlanta Constitution-Journal after his time with the Black Panther Party. It was founded in 1868 and is the only major daily newspaper in the metropolitan city of Atlanta, Georgia.
Photographing former US President Ronald Reagan with American poet Maya Angelou may be his most prolific photographic moment. Ray’s photographic sensibility was regarded as one of the best at the time.
Ray West, Kanye West’s father, captured emotions and depths in his photography despite the fact that all of his photographs were black and white.
Ray West, Kanye West’s father, also had a store and a café. As previously stated, Ray West, like his son, was involved in a variety of business activities. Kanye’s father, in addition to photography, launched a Good Water Store and Café in Maryland in 2006.
To get things started, the Heartless singer reportedly lent money to his father. As Ray went on to other endeavors, more information about the Maryland store remained a mystery.
In addition to being a former member of the Black Panthers, he has also worked as a Christian marriage counselor and a medical artist.
Made An Appearance In His Son’s Music Video
The father-son duo appeared in the music video for “Follow God” together. From the start, the lyrics and video made it clear that the song was a tribute to the rapper’s father.
The song’s inspiration comes from Kanye’s early upbringing, and it focuses on how his father was always there for him, but he was never appreciative for it.
The rapper is shown in the video bonding with his father, who once tried to persuade him not to embrace former US President Donald Trump. The film was shot on Kanye West’s $14 million ranch in Wyoming, which he shares with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
Father Is Honored In A Few Of The Rapper’s Songs Ray Kanye’s life has been an open book, with most of his life stories told in his songs. The 44-year-old has talked about everything from heartbreaks to struggles to comebacks. People learned a lot about his personal life by looking at the lyrics of his songs.
Kanye rapped in his song “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” about his parents’ divorce being caused by financial concerns. Similarly, the musician raps in his Graduation song “Champion” on how he was never grateful to his father. Furthermore, Ray West has always been a strong supporter of his son’s musical endeavors.
Ray and his son have grown closer over time
Despite not having spoken in years, Kanye West and his father, Ray West, have become friends. In his early years, the “Stronger” singer was often with his mother and was grieved when she died suddenly in 2007.
After she died, Ray West and his son grew closer. Kanye once said that he didn’t understand his father was his best buddy until he was 42 years old.
Despite not having spoken to one other in a long time, Ray West has been his son’s most ardent supporter. Kanye and his wife, Kim, just divorced, thus we can presume that his father is by his side, supporting him through this terrible time.
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