Kanye grieves for mom
2007-11-13 14:55
Los Angeles - Kanye West's mother has died from cosmetic surgery.
Donda West - who used to work as the rapper's manager - passed away on Saturday in Los Angeles, aged just 58, after developing complications from an unknown procedure.
Kanye was in London when he was told of the devastating news.
Donda's publicist, Patricia Green, said: "She died as the result of complications from a cosmetic surgical procedure."
Green refused to give any more details.
Kanye's spokesperson said the family is asking "for privacy during this time of grief".
Close relationship
Kanye, 30, often spoke of his close relationship with Donda who raised him alone when his father walked out on them.
In his 2005 song Hey Mama, he sang: "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."
He also spoke of how her love and support had inspired him, saying: "She always gave me support. A lot of parents don't train their kids to think."
In May, Donda published the book Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star, in which she paid tribute to her famous son.
She was also chairperson of the Kanye West Foundation, which aims to improve literacy and stop children dropping out of school.
Green said: "May Donda's work and deeds be an inspiration to each of us, may we start each day knowing that support of family and community are central to purpose."