Today is the tenth anniversary of Kanye West’s 2004 debut album The College Dropout and while it’s a great work, I couldn’t help but think of the women West dated before settling down with Kim Kardashian. Why? Well, he’s the kind of MC whose music is directly affected by his love affairs. Like Diego Rivera, Marvin Gaye or Justin Timberlake, whatever is happening in his heart is happening in his art.
Over the years, Chicago’s finest, and loudest, courted some interesting ladies who’ve inspired great — as well as questionable and embarrassing — music. Let’s look back shall we?
Sumeke Rainey
Sumeke Rainey, on the right in the photo above, is Kanye’s first girlfriend. She split the buffet with him at that Chicago KFC when he was a nobody. Guys, that’s love. Unfortunately, though Kanye promised her father on his death bed that he’d marry Sumeke, the up-and-coming MC did not follow though. Listen, it’s hard to stay monogamous when you finally become famous and can stop shouting down people who doubt your genius.
Sure enough, I sent the plane tickets
but when she came to kick it, things became different
Any girl I cheated on, sheets I skeeted on
Couldn’t keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long – “Touch The Sky”
I’m guessing Sumeke probably feels like she got the better end of that deal.
Song/album: “Never Let Me Down” and “Touch The Sky,” College Dropout, Late Registration
Alexis Phifer
Alexis was Kanye’s first fleeting girlfriend after he became famous, who doubled as the demure sidekick and the enterprising fashion designer for her line Ghita. While Phifer was in the spotlight beside Kanye in lavish Harper’s Bazaar spreads, she wasn’t all that interested in the limelight after their relationship ended (the first time).
Song/album: College Dropout
Brooke Crittendon
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