The Kanye Story BBC Sounds

What took Kanye West from hit-maker to political agitator, spreading anti-Jewish hate? And where does he go next? Mobeen Azhar explores the rapper's rise and fall.

Mobeen Azhar is joined by guests to unpack the early stages of Kanye’s life in music. Going back to his upbringing with activist parents, the panel discuss how a horrific car crash nearly derailed Kanye’s career. But he successfully moved from being a producer for other rappers like Jay-Z to signing a solo deal with Roc-A-Fella and winning a Grammy for his debut studio album College Dropout - a record that would write him into pop music history.
What took Kanye West from hit-maker to a political agitator, spreading anti-Jewish hate? And where does he go next? Mobeen explores the rapper's rise and fall.
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Ashley Clivery
Assistant Producer: Edith Rousselot
Executive Producer: Peter Sale
Sound Mixing: Adam Lieber
Forest Sounds for the BBC

Mobeen Azhar and guests discuss Kanye’s career post College Dropout. His second album didn’t do the same numbers as his debut, but Late Registration is still a major hit. Away from music he’s making big headlines and after Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans, he tells the world that President George Bush "doesn’t care about Black people".
What took Kanye West from hit-maker to a political agitator, spreading anti-Jewish hate? And where does he go next? Mobeen explores the rapper's rise and fall.
Clip: Kanye talking about George Bush and Hurricane Katrina/NBC - A Concert for Hurricane Relief.
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Ashley Clivery
Assistant Producer: Edith Rousselot
Executive Producer: Peter Sale
Sound Mixing: Adam Lieber
Forest Sounds for the BBC

Mobeen Azhar is joined by guests to look at Kanye’s life and career in the period he made Graduation - a record that sat firmly in the mainstream with an A-list cast of contributors including Lil Wayne and Chris Martin. But the death of his mother Donda and the end of the relationship with his fiancée were moments that affected him significantly.
What took Kanye West from hit-maker to a political agitator, spreading anti-Jewish hate? And where does he go next? Mobeen explores the rapper's rise and fall.
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Ashley Clivery
Assistant Producer: Edith Rousselot
Executive Producer: Peter Sale
Sound Mixing: Adam Lieber
Forest Sounds for the BBC

Mobeen Azhar and panel discuss My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Kanye’s moves firmly into the world of celebrity. He storms the stage and takes the mic off Taylor Swift at the VMAs, telling the world that the award for best video should have gone to Beyoncé. President Obama calls him a ‘jackass’ for doing so. Another relationship breaks down and Kanye reconnects with Kim.
What took Kanye West from hit-maker to a political agitator, spreading anti-Jewish hate? And where does he go next? Mobeen explores the rapper's rise and fall.
Clip: Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift/VMA Awards 2009 - MTV
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Ashley Clivery
Assistant Producer: Edith Rousselot
Executive Producer: Peter Sale
Sound Mixing: Adam Lieber
Forest Sounds for the BBC

Mobeen and guests talk about the Yeezus stage of Kanye. He marries Kim and appears on Keeping Up With the Kardashians. He’s at the very centre of pop culture. He also embraces the fashion industry and starts his own Adidas brand - Yeezy.
What took Kanye West from hit-maker to a political agitator, spreading anti-Jewish hate? And where does he go next? Mobeen explores the rapper's rise and fall.
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Ashley Clivery
Assistant Producer: Edith Rousselot
Executive Producer: Peter Sale
Sound Mixing: Adam Lieber
Forest Sounds for the BBC