Kanye West initially rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records. He was influential on Jay-Z's influential and era-defining 2001 album, 'The Blueprint'.

Jay-Z – Brought up in New York's Marcy Projects, Jay-Z was abandoned by his father as a child and went on to endure a hard-hitting upbringing on the streets.

West was involved in a near-fatal car crash in 2002, which he documented on 'Through The Wire' from his 2004 debut album 'The College Dropout'.

Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, developed his stage name from his street pseudonym, Jazzy.

West's second album 'Late Registration' stormed the US Billboard chart in its opening week, shifting over 860,000 copies in its first week alone.

Jay-Z spent much of the start of this century embroiled in a feud with Nas, which started when Jay-Z dissed the rapper on 'Takeover', from his 2001 album 'The Blueprint'. It was eventually resolved in 2005.

In 2005, West spoke out against homophobia in hip-hop, saying that the genre was about "speaking your mind and about breaking down barriers, but everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people”.

With West at the helm, Jay-Z's album 'The Blueprint'' sold 680,000 copies in its first week.

During promotion for his 2007 album 'Graduation', West hosted West hosted the Channel 4 show, The Friday Night Project.

In 2004, Jay-Z showed he was open to working with other genres when he teamed up with Link Park. Their song 'Numb/Encore' went on to win a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

West's 'Graduation' also saw him embroiled in an album battle with 50 Cent, who boasted that his album 'Curtis' would outsell the rapper's effort. It was West who debuted at number one on first week sales.

Jay-Z was named president of Def Jam Records shortly before he sold his remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records. He then took over the label, a move which marked the beginning of an emphatic business empire.

West wowed fans in 2007 with his Glow In The Dark tour, which included a ground breaking light and stage show inspired by Daft Punk.

Jay-Z released 'American Gangster' in 2006, which was inspired by Ridley Scott's film of the same name. The concept album recalled Jay-Z's past as a street-hustler.

West was engaged to designer Alexis Phifer for 18 months, but the couple split in 2008. He has since dated the model Amber Rose.

Jay-Z married girlfriend Beyonce in 2008. The couple's romance had long been reported but they rarely spoke about their relationship. Beyonce's wedding ring cost $5 million.

West has enjoyed a close relationship with the fashion world, and teamed up with one sneaker manufacturer in 2009 to release his Air Yeezy's.

Jay-Z has also enjoyed lucrative success in the clothing world. His clothing brand Rocawear has annual sales of $700 million.

West has been a long-time charity supporter, and regularly holds events through The Kanye West Foundation, which he established with his late mother Donda.

Jay-Z has developed a close relationship with US president Barack Obama. In 2008, the politician said: "Every time I talk to Jay-Z, who is a brilliant talent and a good guy, I enjoy how he thinks”