Kanye West´s solemn goodbye

Wednesday, 21 November 2007

Kanye West said a tearful goodbye to his beloved mother yesterday.

The hip-hop star broke down as he gave a short speech about Donda West - who passed away on November 10 following complications resulting from cosmetic surgery - during her funeral in her native Oklahoma.

Kanye told the congregation that, although it was difficult for him to speak, his mother would have wanted him "to get up there" and say a few words.

Donda's champagne-coloured coffin arrived at the True Vine Ministries Church - located in the small Oklahoma City suburb of Spencer - in a white hearse, because the rapper wanted her to "rest in peace, but rest in paradise".

Among those paying their final respects were Jay-Z and his girlfriend Beyoncé Knowles, Pharrell Williams and Erykah Badu.

Singer Anita Barker - who Donda saw in concert just weeks before her death - was also present.

During the service, Anita gave an emotional performance of 'Summertime', while John Legend accompanied her on the piano.

One guest said: "It was a beautiful ceremony."

Meanwhile, a plastic surgeon who operated on Donda the day before she died stormed off a chat show yesterday.

Dr. Jan Adams had agreed to speak with CNN's Larry King, but wouldn't answer questions about Donda's surgery.

He said: "I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for the West family and they have asked me not to go on. And I've said from the very beginning, I don't have a side in this. They are my side and so I'm going to respect their wishes."