Dr. Donda West, 58, Dies
The Headline Reads: Kanye West's mother dies after 'cosmetic procedure' (CNN)So this morning, I'm making my rounds on a few social networking sites and I spy all these usernames that read RIP Donda West. I'm like, what the hell? I know folks like to be all creative and such, but why RIP Donda West? What's up with that? Dr. Donda West hasn't passed! I'm in total denial as I jet over to CNN to get down to the bottom of this confusion, but then I find it - Kanye West's mother dies after 'cosmetic procedure'.(Insert gasp here) Oh snap, it's true. Damn. Damn. Damn. What a shock and so so unexpected. I can't even begin to imagine what Kanye and the entire West family is feeling. How could this have happened? And what kind of cosmetic procedure was this? For real, I know it doesn't even matter now, but out of anger and sadness, I can't help but to wonder if this could've been prevented. It's so weird, but right now my mind thinks back to Norman Mailer, who also passed away on Saturday, and I remember how Talib Kweli's "Get By" references Mailer, and how this awesome song was produced by none other than Dr. West's son, Kanye. Damn, it's such a sad coincidence, but Gerald Levert also passed a year ago Saturday. Damn. My mind also wanders back to reading Butta's friendly chat with Dr. West over here and how now this chat could quite possibly be her last interview alive. Wow, just that fast. In the blink of an eye, things can change just that damn fast...
The mother of hip-hop mogul Kanye West died following a "cosmetic procedure" in Los Angeles this weekend, her publicist told CNN Monday.
But Patricia Green, the publicist for Dr. Donda West, did not give details about the procedure or exactly what the cause of death was.
West died Saturday at the age of 58, confirmed a representative of West's record label, Island Def Jam, who added that "the family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief."
Donda West was a major influence on her son's life, as the music producer-singer-songwriter has often acknowledged.
She was the inspiration for the song, "Hey Mama," on Kanye West's 2005 album "Late Registration." Among the lyrics: "Hey Mama, I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you ... I appreciate what you allowed for me. I just want you to be proud of me."
Earlier this year, she released a book she co-authored called "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons From the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar."
West retired from her post as professor and chair of the English Department at Chicago State University in 2004 to become her son's manager, according to the Kanye West Foundation Web site.
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Kanye West's writing partner Rhymefest lamented Donda West's death Sunday in an appearance on Chicago radio station WCGI, the AP reported.
"She was everyone's mom," Rhymefest said. "A spirit never dies, a spirit lasts forever."
Well said, Rhymefest, well said. Rest In Peace, Dr. Donda West.
Watch Donda West talk about "Raising Kanye" here
dondawest kanyewest oprah heymama
posted by Soulfull @ 11/12/2007 
1 Comments:
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At 11/13/2007 9:54 PM,
MsJayy said...
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I'm with you Soulfull. I too was in shock. My prayers are with Kanye. No matter how old you are, you are never prepared to lose your mom. RIP Dr. West.
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