Kanye Omari West (born June 8; 1977) is an American rap artist and hip hop producer. He released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004; his second album Late Registration in 2005; and his third album Graduation in 2007. His first three albums have received numerous awards (including nine Grammys); critical acclaim; and commercial success. West also runs his own record label GOOD Music. West-s mascot and trademark is a teddy bear; which has appeared on the covers of his three albums as well as the singles -Stronger- and -Homecoming. "Through the Wire" is the debut single performed by rapper Kanye West. Released in 2003 as the lead single from his debut album The College Dropout (2004), it peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100. The song, which samples Chaka Khan's 1985 single "Through the Fire", received positive reviews from music critics. After a car accident in October 2002, West recorded "Through the Wire" with his jaw wired shut. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, the track was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance, which was won by Jay-Z's "99 Problems". The music video was self-financed by West, who conceived ideas from an Adidas.