Kanye West's Mother Dies, 58

Kanye West's mother, Donda West, died early today in Los Angeles, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. The 58 year-old was a former English professor at Chicago State University and her son's manager, as well the chairwoman of the Kanye West Foundation.

She released a book earlier this year about her son's upbringing and childhood called, "Raising Kanye." The death has been confirmed by a family spokesperson, but no cause has been revealed. The spokesperson said, "the family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief."