Ye unveils Dr. Donda West Way in Chicago's South Shore
Rapper Ye unveiled a street sign reading Dr. Donda West Way in Chicago on Sept. 22, in honour of his late mother.
The honorary name applies to East 78th Street in the South Shore neighbourhood, Billboard reported. Ye pulled the cover from the sign himself during the ceremony.
The designated section stands at 78th Street at South Shore Drive, according to ABC7 Chicago. South Shore was Donda West's former neighbourhood.
Chicago 7th Ward Alderman Greg Mitchell served as master of ceremonies. Longtime collaborators Don C, Rhymefest, GLC and Really Doe were listed among those in attendance.
Donda West was an academic as well as the mother of a musician. She was chair of the English Department and a professor at Chicago State University. She also founded the university's Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing.
She died in November 2007 at age 58. Ye named his 2021 album Donda after her.
What makes this stand out is the location. The honour sits in the community where she lived, not in the city centre. For passers-by, her name is now part of the street map.
