Kanye's Mom Dies

Dr. Donda West, the mother of rapper-producer Kanye West, has died, a rep for the artist has confirmed to Chicago's WLS-TV and WGCI-FM. She was 58.

Dr. West, who served as Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University before retiring to manage her son, had passed away Saturday night in Los Angeles.Kanye West was in London when told of his mother's death and was reportedly en route back to the U.S. a short time later.Rhymefest, who co-wrote West's hit single "Jesus Walks," told Essence.com that Kanye called him from London at 10 a.m. CST Sunday to tell him the news.

Essence.com reports that Dr. West was the CEO of West Brands, LLC at the time of her death. She also served as chair of the Kanye West Foundation. Additionally, Dr. West has authored a book titled, "Raising Kanye, Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip Hop Superstar," which pays homage to her famous son while reflecting on all the things she learned about being his mother along the way.