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Ten-time Grammywinning American rapper Kanye West will present a solo concert next Monday at Shanghai Grand Stage.
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Big news for Shanghai hip-hop fans is that Kanye West is coming. The 10-time Grammy-winning American rapper, best known for his witty raps and dandy fashion style, will perform at Shanghai Grand Stage next Monday, as part of his sell-out "Glow in the Dark" world tour.
The tour is reported to be the sixth highest-grossing music tour in the world this year. Famed for being a visual artist in all aspects of his music presentation from producing his own videos to his input in packaging and merchandise and collaborations with artists such as Takashi Murakami (who designed Louis Vuitton's multicolor monogram bags), West is sure to deliver a one-night-only visual feast to local fans.
Expect some ground-breaking dancing, too. West has hired Madonna's choreographer, Jamie King, for the tour.
Spending a year in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, with his mom when he was 10, the hip-hop king is also reported to have prepared a surprise for Chinese fans - he may perform martial arts in Chinese costume and even sing a song in Chinese at the concert.
Arguably the most important creative force in today's hip-hop music, the 31-year-old went from hip-hop beat maker to worldwide hit maker in a short time.
All three of his albums, including the three million-selling, critically acclaimed debut "The College Dropout" (2004), "Late Registration" (2005) and "Graduation" (2007) have earned him Best Rap Album at the Grammy awards among numerous other awards and commercial success.
West's trademark is the "Dropout Bear," a teddy bear that has appeared on the covers of his three albums as well as various single covers and music videos. The productive artist's fourth album, "808s & Heartbreak" is set to be released on November 25.
At the Shanghai concert he will perform smash hits including the introspective "Through the Wire" and "All Falls Down," the stunning "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," the Daft Punk sampling mega-hit "Stronger" and other stompers like "Good Life," "Gold Digger," "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Homecoming."
Raised in an upper-middle class neighborhood, West became fascinated with hip-hop music at a young age. He took some art classes at the American Academy of Art in Chicago and also enrolled at Chicago State University, but dropped out due to a primary interest in working on his music career.
He later gained fame by producing hit singles for major hip-hop/R&B artists including Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson.
