After his polarizing homecoming concerts at Soldier Field, Kanye West returned home to Chicago to see his late mother honored.
West, now referred to as just Ye, attended a street-renaming ceremony honoring his mother, Donda West, which saw part of 78th Street, near her former South Shore home, renamed “Dr. Donda West Way.”
The Grammy Award-winning artist made sure he did the unveiling, pulling off the cover to reveal the street sign.
As expected, West did not speak with the media before or after the ceremony and was joined by fellow Chicago artist and friend Rhymefest, Alderman Greg Mitchell, who serves Chicago’s 7th Ward district, and other community leaders.
Dr. Donda West taught at Chicago State University for years and chaired the English Department. Dr. West also founded the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing.
She tragically passed away in November 2007 from coronary artery disease and multiple postoperative factors after undergoing a plastic surgery procedure. She was only 58.
Ye honored his mother in numerous songs after her passing, including 2015’s “Only One,” which he penned as a message she wrote.
Before she died, he dropped “Hey Mama” on his sophomore effort, Late Registration, and at the 2008 Grammy Awards he delivered an emotional performance of the song in tribute to her.
