Ye Attends Donda West Street Renaming in Chicago

Ye returned to Chicago to attend a street renaming ceremony honoring his mother, Dr. Donda West. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, September 22, and a section of 78th Street was renamed Dr. Donda West Way. Ye personally removed the covering from the new street sign during the ceremony.

Rhymefest, Alderman Greg Mitchell and other community leaders attended the ceremony. Dr. West served as chair of the English Department at Chicago State University and founded the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing.

In 2015, Ye released the ballad Only One, which was designed as a message written to him by his mother. Only One features Paul McCartney. Ye also recorded Hey Mama, a song included on his 2005 album Late Registration.

At the 2008 Grammy Awards, Ye performed Hey Mama in memory of his mother. The ceremony in Chicago included the renaming of part of 78th Street as Dr. Donda West Way and the unveiling of the new street sign by Ye.