When Kanye was convinced that a career in music lay ahead of him, he began making his own beats and attempting to get them noticed. After not having much luck, he eventually found a mentor in hip-hop and R&B producer No I.D who took him under his wing and got him involved in producing sessions with Common. He also showed Kanye the basics of the industry, encouraged him to start experimenting in the styles that would become the foundation of his success, and introduced him to the people at Roc-a-fella Records, the label where he got his first deal. How did these two unlikely friends come together? Well far from hearing Kanye's work and seeking him out for his obvious talents, the meeting came together because both of their mothers were close friends at the time. After meeting Kanye a few times and being impressed by his energy and enthusiasm for music, No I.D's mother eventually persuaded her son to take a chance on him. The arrangement's worked out pretty well for both of them since, which just goes to show that your mother always, always knows best.
WhatCulture's Managing Editor and Chief Reporter | Previously seen in Vice, Esquire, FourFourTwo, Sabotage Times, Loaded, The Set Pieces, and Mundial Magazine