5 Things You Don't Know About Kanye West

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5 Things You Don't Know About Kanye West

Kanye West became famous for his Grammy Award-winning music, but was thrust even further into the paparazzi spotlight after beginning to date reality star Kim Kardashian. Here are five things you probably don't know about this rapper/actor/fashion designer.

1. Born Kanye Omari West on June 8, 1977 -- his first name means "the only one" in Swahili.

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2. Moved at age 10 to Nanjing, China, where his mother Donda served as a visiting professor for a year.

3. Sold his first beat to a local Chicago rapper for $8,800.

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4. Was in a near-fatal car accident in October 2002 in which his jaw was broken in three places. Emergency surgery was performed and doctors had to insert a metal plate in his chin.

5. Michael Jackson called him to ask about the jacket he wore in the video for his 2007 single Stronger.

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