Ray West (born August 28, 1949) is a photojournalist, marriage counselor, store owner, black panther and founder of the Good Water foundation.[1] He is best known for being the father of American rapper, songwriter and record producer Kanye West.
Personal Life[]
Ray West married Donda West in the 1970s and divorced her in 1980[2]. Donda gave birth to Ray's child, Kanye West in 1977[3].
In 2018, Ray was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Kanye went to visit him Los Angeles during his treatment. Ray later recuperated and moved to the Dominican Republic to engage in his humanitarian work.
Relationship with Kanye West[]
Following Donda West passing away from complications with a cosmetic surgery in 2007,[4] Ray and Kanye grew closer. Kanye supported him through his prostate cancer treatment in 2018. Ray West appeared along side Kanye in the Follow God music video and recorded with Kanye in Wyoming[2]. Kanye stated it took him 42 years to realize his father was his best friend.[5][2]