Magazine says rapper Kanye West engaged

Kanye West

LOS ANGELES - Superstar rapper Kanye West is engaged to marry his girlfriend, People magazine reported today.

The magazine's website, citing unnamed sources close to the singer, said West, 29, proposed to his girlfriend, Alexis, during a recent overseas trip, but added that the woman's last name and occupation were not immediately available.

However, the magazine said she was West's girlfriend prior to his near-fatal car crash in October 2002.

That crash inspired the hit single Through the Wire, from West's 2004 debut album, The College Dropout. The album earned him two Grammy awards, for best rap album and best rap song.

His follow-up album, 2005's Late Registration, went on to win three Grammys.

Prior to his success as a solo artist, West had achieved fame as a producer for Roc-a-Fella Records, where he produced hits for artists ranging from Jay-Z to Alicia Keys.

Representatives for West could not immediately be reached for comment.

- REUTERS/VNU