Kanye West released an official statement on Monday in regards to his mother’s unexpected death over the weekend.
Kanye West, his family and friends would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and kind words that have come in from across the country since the death of his mother, Dr. Donda West.
Donda invites MTV’s cameras into her home to show off Kanye’s artwork for “The Diary of Kanye West.” (2004) Plus more video collages of Kanye & his mother together.
After working in higher education for 31 years, Dr. Donda West and Kanye West co-founded the Kanye West Foundation with the mission of helping to combat the severe dropout problem in high schools across the country. The first and signature initiative of the Kanye West Foundation is Loop Dreams. Designed to capitalize on students’ existing interest in hip-hop, Loop Dreams challenges students to learn more about what’s behind hip-hop culture in order to help them develop skills, express themselves creatively and be empowered.
Instead of flowers, Kanye West and his family request that donations be made in Dr. West’s name to Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute at 8560 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.
Donations may also be made at www.kanyewestfoundation.org.
Condolences Kanye
That Is One very sad story. I was supposed to see him perform @ Paris this Saturday and I think it’s gonna be for another day but I absolutely support him & understand him coz even though he doesn’t cancel his show he’s not goin to be in a good mood and i understand why so it’s better for him to postpone it. aNYway much love to Kanye’s fam
Your mother is in a better place now Kanye. Your family will be in my prayers and in my heart. Good Bless.
May GOD BLESS KANYE AND THE FAMILY,,,I COULDN’T IMAGINE THAT PAIN,,,,MUCH LOVE
Yeah i know #2 a lot of friends were suppsed to see him i paris on noember 17th thats so sad ive bee listenin to hey mama all day long
RIP DR.WEST – SUCH TRAGIC NEWS. STAY STRONG KANYE!
wow, my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to kanye and his family
RIP TO DR.WEST.
SAD STORY.
KANYE LOVED HIS MAMA.
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS BE WITH HIM AND HIS FAMO!
Kanye must be a mess right now!
but my prayers go out to the whole fam. R.I.P. DR DONDA WEST!!
I stil don’t know what 2 say..
I really don’t..
*still*
My thoughts and prayers are with Kanye and his family.
The West fam is in my prayers. Kanye has made his mother very proud!!!
I’m hurting for him. Losing a parent is one of the worst feelings in the world.
THERE IS NOTHING SWEETER THAN A MAN THAT LOVES HIS MOTHER. SHE WAS TRULY A GIFT TO THIS WORLD. SHE WAS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT A MOTHER CAN DO AND BE FOR HER CHILD. SHE WAS EDUCATED, PASSIONATE ABOUT LIFE (IT SHOWED IN HER FACE), AND SHE LOVED HER SON DEEPLY. KANYE IS TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN RAISED BY SUCH A GIVING AND KIND WOMAN. SHE WAS A SINGLE MOTHER. I DON’T LIKE THIS WORD SINGLE. SHE WAS A MOTHER. SHE WAS A POWERFUL INFLUENCE ON HIS LIFE AND SHE DID NOT NEED TO HAVE A MAN TO BE WHAT SHE NEEDED TO BE FOR HER CHILD. SHE OBVIOUSLY LIVED HER BEST LIFE. I GET TEARS IN MY EYES WHEN I SEE THEM TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT SHE HAS PASSED. MY MOTHER DIED WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG. THERE ARE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW DISRESPECTING THEIR MOTHERS. IF I HAD THE CHANCE TO HAVE A MOTHER RIGHT THERE BY MY SIDE INTO ADULTHOOD LIKE KANYE, I WOULD BE SO THANKFUL. IT IS SO NICE TO SEE A MAN, A BLACK MAN SO PROUD OF THE WOMAN THAT GAVE HIM LIFE AND GAVE HIM A LIFE TO LOOK FORWARD TOO. KANYE, MAY GOD BE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF PAIN BUT REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THE GREATEST LOVE THERE IS FROM YOUR MOTHER. KNOWING THE KIND OF WOMAN SHE WAS, I CAN NOW UNDERSTAND MORE THE MINDSET OF KANYE. REST IN PEACE DR. WEST.
My feelings are so hurt. Thanks for sharing the link to the videos. Kanye is in my prayers!
She seemed like a really sweet lady…she had a good spirit about her.
I’m praying for you and your fam, Kanye!!
omg i’m crying right now!!! Like for real
Dr. West death has hit me so hard like when Aaliyah passed just because I know how much Ye loved her.
I remember seeing those clips from MTV when they came out years ago. I love the song “Hey Mama” and it was the ringtone for when my Mom called me and she passed last December. I totally sympathize with you Kanye and you are in my thoughts and prayers
Man, this is all too sad. She seemed like the perfect mommy. My prayers and thoughts to her son, her family and friends.
Man this is so crazy!!! I feel so bad because being that Kanye is my favorite rapper, i gotta have luv 4 his mom 2 cuz she helped mold Kanye 2 b who he is now. Its so ignorant that all these stupid gossip sites are starting all these rumors about his mother in surgery…the family wants privacy so the public should respect it. I can’t imagine how he feels but it hurts me hearing him say “Thinking about all the things my mom did for me…it makes me wanna call her” in that video, now he can’t do that. I kno he probably goin hard in da studio wit a new song similar to roses. Keep ya head up ‘Ye…we luv u!!!!
#15, you are so right and I am sorry to hear about your mother passing at a young age.
I am a mother and I only have one child. I support my baby in everything she wants to do that is going to benefit her in life and contribute to her becoming a well-rounded woman in the near future. I love my daughter and I can’t see not having her back.
As a parent when you have a child that loves you like Kanye towards his mother, as well as my daughter, it makes your heart rejoice. If you don’t know what a blessing a child is then you shouldn’t be having children. If you are not going to do everything possible make sure you child have a future, then don’t have any children.
Kanye you was blessed with a great parents. The type of parent Bill Cosby was trying to get us to realize we all can be. There is nothing wrong with being a good mom and dad. We are our children foundation. And Kanye she gave you that. Its what going to get you through these trying times. Now when you think of her, you can SMILE, cause she had your back and you are successful becasue of it.
Donda West was a blessing and she will be missed dearly.
Tell the people you love that you love them, cause you never know what may happen.
Concrete Loop you are doing an excellent job on this coverage. I enjoyed the video.
I APPLAUD KANYE FOR LOVING AND RESPECTNG HIS MOTHER SO MUCH….THAT IS SO COMMENDABLE SEEING AS THOUGH EVERY MAN DONT REVERE THEIR MOTHERS AS HE DOES.
WE CAN ALL NAME OTHERS IN THE INDUSTRY THAT DON’T TAKE CARE OF THEIR MOTHERS LIKE HE DID. HE WANTED HER TO EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING HE DID. WOW.
HIS LOVE FOR HIS MOTHER IS BEAUTIFUL, AND OTHERS IN THE INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS US ALL SHOULD CHECK OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR MOTHERS, AND LOVE AND RESPECT HER NO MATTER WHAT, CAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW YOUR LAST MINUTE WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEING GOD GAVE TO U TO TAKE CARE OF U…
RIP DR. WEST
Thanks SUPERCENT
It is hard to loose a parent at any age. He was truly blessed. It is great you are working on who you are to be the best mother you can be. I truly agree with you on many points and especially about telling people you love them everyday. Life is too short. Seize the day. Cherrish the time you have with the ones you love and be kind to strangers. Life is too short to not be happy. I can say one thing about Kanye and his mom. They looked really happy together.
Kanye and his mom were so close and I know how hard it is to lose someone close to you like that, especially a parent.
My heart goes out to Kanye and may his mom R.I.P.
She’s still watching over you everyday Kanye just as she has always been. Keep your head up.
this really is too sad. i started crying earlier today when listening to ‘hey mama’, because kanye’s love for his mother is so apparent in the lyrics. it really hits home too…showing just how special a mothers love is.
stay strong kanye, and god bless.
i couldnt agree more #15
i have hey mama on repeat…non-stop
R.I.P. Dr. West
Wow. My heart is hurting for Kanye right now even more after watching that. May her soul rest in perfect peace.
The mutual love and respect they had and showed for one another is a wonderful thing.
Though her passing is tragic and expected, neither will have any regrets, because he showed her love and spent quality time with her while she was here. She contributed to and experienced his success with him.
He made his mother proud, and he was proud of his mother –
Though he will miss her and suffer through the loss,
his love, his memories, his pride in Dr. Donda West will shine bright enough to see him through this darkness.
I know how you feel but just keep your head up your mom will always walk with you.
R.I.P. Donda West..she appeared to be a very sweet woman and she valued education..she was sucha chicago woman..lol..love her for that..and may God be with you kanye through these tough times
Still praying for you Kanye! I would do ANYthing to have my parents back…even for a moment.
And those videos are heartwarming. Nice to hang on to the memories.
THE LOOP LOVES YOU KANYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! R.I.P DR DONDA!!!
I hope you & your family can make it through this. I’m sure you guys will.
hold your head up kanye.trust your momma is looking down smiing on you.
tears are rolling down my face it feels like ive lost a loved one it truly does hurt and yea who commented saying it feels like aaliyah died it really does no one that sweet and passionate should die at such a tender age i kno she had more to do on earth b ut it happens and al you can do is rejoice that she is somewhere better watching over you,guiding you and protecting you and your loved ones…kanye keep your head up and just embrace the time you did spend with ms.west
The West family is in my prayers.
R.I.P
Dr. West (1949-2007)
So sad..
I never say death is unexpected. When your time has come, your time has come. God gives everybody a certain amount of time Earth. He gave Kanye’s mother 58 beautiful years on this Earth, 30 of them going into raising, teaching, guiding and chereshing her time with Her Son Kanye. I say she lived a full life. Donda was/ still is proud of her son and what she accomplished while living. Her spirit forever lives on. Kanye, you gonna make it through, trust.
Rest In Peace Dr. Donda West.
I’m so sorry for you lost, I’m pryaing for you and your family.
my condoloces and pray for the west family and all of dr.west love ones
God bless, this is got to be one of the top toughtest things you’ll ever deal with in your life. Live the rest of your life in a way that will make her proud; she’ll be watching.
rip dondra west…you iwll be truly miss sweetie. kanye stay strong and you got people here for you.
Kanye must be an absolute wreck right now, I feel terrible. I cannot even begin to imagine what he is going through. I can’t listen to Hey Mama without crying my eyes out, it has a whole new meaning now.
May you RIP Dr. West.
My prayers to kanye and his fam.this was just so sudden and no one deserves that pain of losing a parent.i know she was his best friend and i pray for both his strength and peace.
thats fuckin sad…I called my mom and told her Ioved her. I dont know what i’d do if my momma passed- lord forbid.
*told her I loved her
Ooops.
I hope Kanye has a moment to grieve in peace.
This might be the most commendable thing I’ve read in a very long time.
Kanye I am so sorry I was so inspired by the book “Raising Kanye” just like you your mother can story tell very well. A lot of the values your mother believed my mother did when I was growing up. No running the streets of Philadelphia and no getting on the train, just plain loving and caring and protecting your child. Your family seems very loving and you will definitely be in my prayers this is very heart wrenching and truly the saddest thing I heard in a long time.
Kanye I know during this time in your life there is really nothing anybody can say to you to cure the hurt that you are feeling at this moment…but always remember to seek the Lord ….Kanye my deepest and sincerest condolences from the bottom of my heart goes out to you and the rest of your family…Chitown & CSU is praying for you all….WE LOVE YOU….AND WE LOVED YOUR MOM!!
BTW I love the line when you say “your like a book of poetry/ Maya Angelou, Nikki Giiovanni/ turn one page and there’s my mommy”- Kanye “Hey Mama”
this is overwhelmingly sad news … however, i take some consolation in knowing that kanye gave his mother her flowers while she was alive … he acknowledged her, praised her, loved her and treated her like a queen … i’m glad she was able to see the fruits of her many years as a single mother pay off in such a gifted, intelligent and articulate man … i will certainly buy her book in her memory
Ye, you and your family are in my prayers brah! Keep ya head up and be strong! RIP Dr. West.
Just watching his mom made me love her. I am a single parent and I strive to take care of myself so I can be alive so my child won’t be hurt if anything ever happened to me. I would not want her to feel the great sadness, panic, and emptiness that I know Kanye is feeling right now. It makes me very very sad for Kanye. His mother looked like a very nice lady and a class act. She gave us a talented artist. I pray for Kanye and that God comforts him.
I feel for Kanye during this time of grief, He is my favorite rapper, and i loved how close him& his mother were, Rest in Peace to an intellegent women, Dr. Donda West.
This is all so sad. May Dr. West rest in peace. ‘Ye, stay strong broer.
I’ll be the first to admit I was raised by my mother. I keep her close to me always and cherish every moment, good or bad, as if I wouldn’t see her tomorrow. She’s been my cheerleader and I’ve been her “lil man” forever and I cannot think about going a day without hearing her voice, eating her cooking, or catching a wiff of her perfume as she walks by. Kanye, in case you actually come here and read this, I just wanna let you know that when it comes to expressing the adoration of your mother, that I get it and understand where you’re coming from. I can only imagine the grief you’re going through right now but from one “momma’s boy” to another, God bless you both.
Pass this on to Kanye West Concrete Loop. I really want him to read this.
Condolences to Kanye West…The first letter of each sentence of this poem I wrote, spells Donda West, and describes the feeling I imagine he has. I lost my mother too. I am so sorry she died so soon
Died too soon, unknowingly we ask why…trying to move
On…slowly,….with desperate prayer
Needing to remember her strength, relying on her love
Depending on memories of Mommy…Finally listening……….
At last, the omega lesson, tasting the tears she cried; remembering how she tried…
With guidance from above
Every time we think of love..we will
Stop
To think about Mommy….Always-
Sincerely
Candace Ballard
11/13/07