KANYE WEST - JAY-Z AND RHYMEFEST PAY TRIBUTE TO KANYE'S MOTHER

JAY-Z AND RHYMEFEST PAY TRIBUTE TO KANYE'S MOTHER

Rapper SHAWN 'JAY-Z' CARTER led the tributes to KANYE WEST's mother on Sunday night (11Nov07), by dedicating his New York gig to the late DR. DONDA WEST. The 99 Problems hitmaker marked the end of his concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom with a moment of silence for the 58-year-old, who died on Saturday (10Nov07) after suffering complications from cosmetic surgery. During his encore, Jay-Z told the crowd: "Let's get serious for a minute. This show is dedicated to Kanye West who had a death in the family. We got you, Kanye. Stay strong." Hip-hop star Rhymefest - who co-wrote the hit Jesus Walks with longtime pal Kanye - has also paid his respects to the Gold Digger star's mother, praising Dr. West for her caring nature. He says, "She was a mother to everybody... We all came in the crib and she fed us when we had nothin', when there was no record deals. She brought us in. She was a mother for a community, and a mother for one of Chicago's greatest heroes." And Rhymefest admits West is still struggling to come to terms with his sudden loss. He says, "I don't think it really hit him yet, but I'm asking Chicago to pray and send your prayers and your love out to my brother and to his family."