Shanghai Daily news

Hip-hop king Kanye West will travel to his second homeland, China, and treat local fans to his music in a Beijing concert on November 1, and Shanghai on November 3.

Born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia, West came to China at age 10 with his mother, who landed a one-year teaching job in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. He became proficient enough in the Chinese language to be an interpreter for his mother in restaurants.

"I think that got me ready to be a celebrity because, at that time, a lot of Chinese had never seen a black person and I was in the spotlight everywhere," he said.

West said he may give local fans a surprise by performing martial arts in a Chinese costume and even sing a Chinese song.

West became fascinated with hip-hop music at a young age and gained fame by producing hit singles for musical artists including Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson.

On October 23, 2002, West was involved in a near-fatal car crash while driving home from the recording studio. But the crash provided inspiration for West's first single, "Through the Wire."

The hip-hop star has won 10 Grammy Awards for his singing and production work.