West pays tribute to late mom at Grammys

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Rapper Kanye West paid tribute to his late mother Donda by singing his ballad "Hey Mama" at the 50th Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles Sunday night.

West, nominated for eight Grammys, also shaved the word "Mama" into his hair.

Before performing the slow-tempo song, he gave an electrifying rendition of his hit "Stronger."

In a pre-telecast ceremony Sunday, West won Grammys for Best Rap Solo Performance for "Stronger" from his "Graduation" CD; Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Southside," his duet with Common; and Best Rap Song for "Good Life," which he shared with Aldrin Davis, Mike Dean, Faheem Najm, James Ingram and Quincy Jones.

West's mother died in November of a pre-existing coronary artery disease and multiple postoperative factors shortly after having plastic surgery.