Humble beginnings -- Kanye's father -- Growing up in the heartland's "capital" city -- Studies in the Windy City -- Hello, hip hop -- The Louis Vuitton Don -- Dr. Dre paved path from (the) West -- Kanye's "big brother" Jay-Z -- From producer to artist -- The music -- Hurricane Katrina meets Hurricane Kanye -- 2007-2008 : a period of big wins and deep losses.