HBCU Graduate & College Professor To Release Kanye West Biography ‘Wake Up, Mr. West’ : 45 Pictures of Ye Over The Years

Howard graduate and college professor, Dr. Joshua Wright is releasing a new biography on Kanye West entitled, “Wake Up, Mr. West: Kanye West and the Double Consciousness of the Black Celebrity”
The biography takes a look at Kanye and his relationship with the Black community as well as how he goes against trends. “This book should be used as a case study to think about how we view this idea of Black identity in America, what it means to be Black, and what it means to be an exceptional Black person,” explains Wright. “Wake Up, Mr. West” will be released on February 1st through publishing house, McFarland and Company. Sound like something you want to read??
The Fader 20 Pop Life Party
ShareNEW YORK - DECEMBER 5: Musician Kanye West performs at the Fader 20 Pop Life Party at Diane Von Furstenberg NYC Studios December 5, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Lifebeat Hearts and Voices Benefit
ShareNEW YORK - MARCH 11: Rapper Kanye West performs at the Lifebeat Hearts and Voices benefit for AIDS research on March 11, 2004 at Float, in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
MTV TRL With J-Kwon And Kanye West
ShareNEW YORK - MARCH 31: (U.S. TABS OUT) Rapper Kanye West performs on stage during MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios March 31, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Kanye West “MTVu Stand In” At Chicago State University
ShareCHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 1: Musician Kanye West appears at Chicago State University for "MTVu Stand In" September 1, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. West joins as a surprise professor for the MTVu series, where they bring a cultral icon into the classroom to teach a group of unsuspecting students for the session. West teaches a songwriting master class at the university where he was a "college dropout". (Photo by Tim Klein/Getty Images)
2005 Billboard Music Awards – Press Room
ShareLAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 06: Singer Kanye West winner of Artist Achievement Award poses in the press room at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 6, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
48th Annual Grammy Awards – Press Room
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Kanye West with his awards for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Album with his mother Donda West pose in the press room at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 8, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
CA: Kanye West and Donda West Sign Copies Of Her New Book “Raising Kayne”
ShareLOS ANGELES - MAY 9: Author Donda West (R) and her son, hip-hop performer Kanye West atend a book signing for her book "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar" on May 9, 2007 at Borders in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images}
CA: Kanye West and Donda West Sign Copies Of Her New Book “Raising Kayne”
ShareLOS ANGELES - MAY 9: Author Donda West (R) and her son, hip-hop performer Kanye West atend a book signing for her book "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar" on May 9, 2007 at Borders in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images}
BET 106 & Park Presents Kanye West
ShareNEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Hip-hop artist Kanye West performs on BET's 106 & Park at BET Studios on August 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)
Kanye West Celebrates His New CD At Virgin Megastore
ShareNEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Recording artist Kanye West attends an autograph signing session for his new album "Graduation" at the Virgin Megastore Union Sqaure on September 11, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)
51st Annual Grammy Awards – Show
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Kanye West speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Around Bryant Park – Day 6 – Fall 09 MBFW
ShareNEW YORK - FEBRUARY 18: Kanye West attends Mercedes-Benz Fall 2009 Fashion Week at Bryant Park on February 18, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG)
Vanity Fair Celebrates The 2009 Tribeca Film Festival
ShareNEW YORK - APRIL 21: Rapper Kanye West attends the Vanity Fair party for the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival at the State Supreme Courthouse on April 21, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)
Celebrities At The Lakers Game
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 4: Rapper Kanye West attends Game One of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic at Staples Center on June 4, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
VEVO Presents: G.O.O.D. Music Featuring Kanye West, John Legend, Common, Kid Cudi + More
ShareAUSTIN, TX - MARCH 19: Kanye West performs during VEVO Presents: G.O.O.D. Music at VEVO Power Station on March 19, 2011 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for VEVO)
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2011 – Day 3
ShareINDIO, CA - APRIL 17: Rapper Kanye West performs during Day 3 of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2011 held at the Empire Polo Club on April 17, 2011 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Red Granite Party – Performance – 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival
ShareCANNES, FRANCE - MAY 14: Kanye West performs at the Red Granite party at Carlton Beach on May 14, 2011 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Splendour In The Grass – Day 1
ShareWOODFORD, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Kanye West performs on stage on day one of the Splendour in the Grass music festival on July 29, 2011 in Woodford, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Celebrities At The New York Mets v Los Angeles Dodgers – August 14, 2013
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 14: In this handout photo provided by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kanye West attends the New York Mets v Los Angeles Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium on August 14, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers via Getty Images)
The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards – Red Carpet
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Recording Artist Kanye West and Kim Kardashian attend The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)
57th GRAMMY Awards – Show
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Recording artists Kanye West (L) and Rihanna perform "FourFiveSeconds" onstage during The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the at the STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
1st Annual Roc City Classic
ShareNEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 12: Kanye West performs at Roc city classic: Flatiron District on February 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Tidal Launch Event NYC #TIDALforALL
ShareNEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: Kanye West (L) and JAY Z onstage at the Tidal launch event #TIDALforALL at Skylight at Moynihan Station on March 30, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
102.7 KIIS FM’s 2015 Wango Tango – Show
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 09: Singer Kanye West performs during 102.7 KIIS FM's Wango Tango at StubHub Center on May 9, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images For 102.7 KIIS FM's Wango Tango)
2015 CFDA Fashion Awards – Show
ShareNEW YORK, NY - JUNE 01: Kanye West presents the Fashion Icon Award to Pharrell Williams onstage at the 2015 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on June 1, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games – Closing Ceremony
ShareTORONTO, ON - JULY 26: Kanye West preforms during the closing ceremony on Day 16 of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games on July 26, 2015 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
2015 MTV Video Music Awards – Fixed Show
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Recording artist Kanye West (L) accepts the Video Vanguard Award from recording artist Taylor Swift onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
2015 MTV Video Music Awards – Fixed Show
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Recording artists Kanye West and Big Sean accept the Video with a Social Message award for 'One Man Can Change The World' onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival – Night 1 – Show
ShareLAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 18: Musician Kanye West performs onstage at the 2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 18, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival – Night 1 – Show
Share(EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Recording artist Kanye West performs onstage at the 2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 18, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival – Night 1 – Show
Share(EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Recording artist Kanye West performs onstage at the 2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 18, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Kanye West Yeezy Season 3 – Runway
ShareNEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Kanye West performs during Kanye West Yeezy Season 3 on February 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Yeezy Season 3)
Kanye West Yeezy Season 3 – Runway
ShareNEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Kanye West performs during Kanye West Yeezy Season 3 on February 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Yeezy Season 3)
2016 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival – Weekend 1 – Day 1
ShareINDIO, CA - APRIL 15: Hip-hop artist Kanye West performs onstage during day 1 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
adidas + KANYE WEST New Partnership Announcement
ShareHOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 28: Kanye West at Milk Studios on June 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. adidas and Kanye West announce the future of their partnership: adidas + KANYE WEST (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for ADIDAS)
2016 MTV Video Music Awards – Show & Audience
ShareNEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 28: Kanye West performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Ralph Lauren – Arrivals – September 2018 – New York Fashion Week
ShareNEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Kanye West attends the Ralph Lauren fashion show during New York Fashion Week at Bethesda Terrace on September 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
Ralph Lauren – Runway – September 2018 – New York Fashion Week
ShareNEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Kanye West attends the runway for Ralph Lauren fashion show during New York Fashion Week at Bethesda Terrace on September 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Randy Brooke/Getty Images)
President Trump Hosts Kanye West And Former Football Player Jim Brown At The White House
ShareWASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: (AFP OUT) Rapper Kanye West speaks during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval office of the White House on October 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Oliver Contreras - Pool/Getty Images)
Versace Fall 2019 – Arrivals
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: Kanye West attends the the Versace fall 2019 fashion show at the American Stock Exchange Building in lower Manhattan on December 02, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival – Weekend 2 – Day 3
ShareINDIO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: Kanye West performs Sunday Service during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 21, 2019 in Indio, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Coachella)
2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival – Weekend 2 – Day 3
ShareINDIO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: Kanye West performs Sunday Service during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 21, 2019 in Indio, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Coachella)
2019 New York Times Dealbook
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Kayne West attends 2019 New York Times Dealbook on November 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Cohen/Getty Images for The New York Times)
Fast Company Innovation Festival – Day 3
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 07: Kanye West speaks on stage at the "Kanye West and Steven Smith in Conversation with Mark Wilson" at the on November 07, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Fast Company)
Jamel Herring v Shakur Stevenson
ShareATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 23: Ye arrives to the arena for the fight between Jamel Herring and Shakur Stevenson at State Farm Arena on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Getty Images)