Kanye West

Kanye West brings "Glow in the Dark" Tour to Austin!

Kanye West is bringing his new “Glow in the Dark Tour”, co-starring Rihanna, N.E.R.D and Lupe Fiasco to the Frank Erwin Center on April 30! Kanye West, Rihanna, and Lupe Fiasco are fresh off wins at the 2008 Grammy Awards. West tacked on four Grammy awards to his already impressive collection, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song.

Kanye West is arguably the most talked about and exciting hip-hop artist to hit the music scene in a long time. West was born to an award winning photojournalist father and an English professor mother in 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. His family noticed early on that he had an affinity for poetry and a passion for hip-hop. He took a few classes at the American Academy of Art and also enrolled at Chicago State University, but dropped out to focus more attention on his music career. Before being propelled to international stardom as a performer, West actually got his start as a producer while he was still in school. He started locally but as word spread about his talent he began to draw some high profile names, including Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Jay-Z, DMX, Alicia Keys, Common, Mos Def and many others.

West’s big break came when he collaborated with Jay-Z on his 2001 album The Blueprint. Plans to release his own debut album were in the works when he suffered a near fatal car crash in 2002, pushing back the release date. With much anticipation, West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, earning him 10 Grammy nominations at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in early 2005. His album won Best Rap Album award, and his single “Jesus Walks” won Best Rap Song.

West’s “Glow in the Dark Tour,” to promote his new LP Graduation, had a very successful run overseas and is sure to receive the same reaction here in the US. “I’m working with [choreographer/director] Jamie King,” said West. “I saw the last Madonna concert — he did the last [several] Madonna concerts and so I’ve been sitting down vibing with him, ‘cause I want to bring the level of entertainment up another level.” Come experience the flashy lights and sounds of West’s “Glow in the Dark Tour” on April 30 at the Frank Erwin Center, and see firsthand why Kanye West has achieved this level of stratospheric success.