Chicago rapper Che "Rhymefest" Smith says he’s purchased the childhood home of Kanye West in the city’s South Shore neighborhood and plans to turn it into a community arts incubator.
Smith posted a picture Friday on Instagram paired with the announcement.
“I'm excited to announce the purchase of Kanye's childhood home as a community arts incubator. It will be the first of our Nationwide Lite-Houses,” the post reads. “A state of the art recording studio, a curriculum space for Donda’s House and South Side music [museum]. We want to show bright spots in communities that’ve been divested from, we know more lights exist here, they just need to be activated.”
Donda's House, Inc. provides education in music, fashion, TV and film to Chicago’s youth and young adults, according to the organization’s website. It was created by Smith in 2013, the site says, along with distinguished educator, Donnie Smith.
Smith made headlines this summer after he said he was robbed at gunpoint and posted footage of his controversial attempt to file a police report. The incident prompted Mayor Rahm Emanuel to make a statement announcing an officer would be disciplined for the way the situation was handled.
