How did Kanye West get signed?

Kanye West was initially signed to Roc-A-Fella Records after producing tracks for artists like Jay-Z. His breakthrough came with his production work on Jay-Z's acclaimed album "The Blueprint" in 2001. West's desire to be a rapper led him to create his own demo, which caught the attention of Roc-A-Fella's executives. Ultimately, they recognized his talent and signed him in 2002, leading to the release of his debut album, "The College Dropout," in 2004.