The Kanye Story

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Introducing The Kanye Story

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Factual: Life Stories

Mobeen Azhar investigates the rise and fall of Kanye West

Mobeen Azhar investigates the rise and fall of Kanye West, with the help of guests who've been close to the rapper and journalists who've followed every step of his career.

The Kanye Story: 1. The Blueprint

1. The Blueprint

BBC Sounds - The Kanye Story, 1. The Blueprint

Mobeen Azhar explores how a Chicago activist upbringing and a car crash shape young Kanye.

Mobeen Azhar explores how a Chicago activist upbringing and a car crash shaped young Kanye and contributed to a debut record that would write him into pop music history.

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

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The Kanye Story

1. The Blueprint

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