They're two of the world's most famous rappers who went from being the best of friends to the worst of enemies, all while remaining at the top of the charts.

And now, an exclusive clip released to MailOnline from a major new Channel 4 documentary - charting the meteoric rise and bitter feud of two of music's biggest stars - gives an insight into the early life of producer turned rapper Kanye West.

Offering a snapshot into his youth, a friend recalls Kanye having: 'African s throughout the house, crates of records everywhere and an extensive porno jepang collection.'









Star: A major new Channel 4 documentary charting the rise and epic falling out of two of hip-hop's biggest stars in Kanye West and Jay-Z offers a glimpse into the Chicago rapper's early life

With home videos, unseen footage and interviews with camp insiders, the film uncovers the story behind Jay-Z and Kanye West's rise to success and their subsequent bitter falling out.

The preview clip traces the rapper's Midwest roots back to his suburban childhood bedroom which has remained virtually untouched for twenty years. 




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Opening the door to a messy room, still littered with musical equipment and posters of famous rappers, childhood friend Eugene McNair explains what the 'lab' was like during those formative musical years.

'We went to his crib, he had all this African s throughout the house, he had crates of records everywhere, he had an extensive porno collection, he had fresh clothes.




Hip-hop dominance: With home videos, unseen footage and interviews with the people who know them best, the documentary uncovers the story behind Jay-Z and Kanye West's rise to success and their massive falling out





Where it all began: The preview clip traces Kanye's Midwest roots back to his suburban childhood bedroom, which has remained virtually untouched for twenty years






Untouched: Opening the door to a messy room, still littered with musical equipment and posters of famous rappers, childhood friend Eugene McNair explains what the 'lab' was like during those formative musical years

'It was like damn-  he likes girls, he likes clothes, he likes music, he likes African s, he likes art and you know we all jam [sic].' 

Revealing hip-hop's DIY roots, Eugene explained how the pair would record music in the bedroom with a keyboard in one corner and a tape-deck in another.

The documentary shows Kanye's suburban upbringing with his college lecturer mother Donda West, and influence of Black Panther activist father Ray West. 

Alongside Jay-Z, the pair formed an all-conquering partnership in 2011, when their platinum selling joint album Watch The Throne preceded a sold out world tour.

But before the critically acclaimed albums, awards, controversy, celebrity marriage and global fashion range, Kanye West was an art-school dropout from Chicago. 




Grammy winners: Jay-Z and Kanye formed an all-conquering partnership in 2011, when their platinum selling joint album Watch The Throne preceded a sold out world tour





Best of friends: A string of best-selling albums followed until the star reached Jay-Z levels of fame and eventually their partnership peaked with Watch The Throne - a global juggernaut described as a 'celebration of black excellence'

And in a music genre built on rivalries, his relationship with Jay-Z started out in an unusually harmonious manner.

Jay-Z, already a bonafide star with his own Roc-A-Fella Records music label, first encountered the cocky upstart Kanye shortly after the Chicago star had moved to New York to find fame.

Given the chance to play his beats to Jay-Z, he left the New York icon so impressed that the majority of Jay-Z's next album had Kanye's fingerprints all over it.

Before long Kanye was signed to Roc-A-Fella and then - fearing he was being pigeon holed as a producer - showed his prolific rapping prowess on The College Dropout - a critical and commercial success which propelled him to stardom.




Up and coming: Before the critically acclaimed albums, the controversy, the celebrity marriage and global fashion range, Kanye was an art-school dropout from Chicago

A string of best-selling albums followed until the star reached Jay-Z levels of fame. 

Eventually their partnership peaked with Watch The Throne - a global juggernaut described as a 'celebration of black excellence'.

But following his marriage to reality TV superstar Kim Kardashian and a string of high-profile outbursts, the pairs' relationship started to break down.

Recently, Kanye was filmed onstage attacking his former friend in a bizarre rant.

Midway through his performance in Sacramento, U.S. Kanye stopped to shout: 'Jay-Z call me bruh, you still ain't call me. Jay-Z I know you got killers. Please don't send em at my head. Just call me [sic]'




Falling out: Following his marriage to reality TV superstar Kim Kardashian and a string of high-profile outbursts, the pair's relationship started to break down

Before taking aim at Jay-Z's wife, Beyonce: 'Beyonce I was hurt, cause I heard you wouldn't perform unless you won video of the year over me and over "hotline bling"

'F winning, f looking cool. Get ready to have a field day press. Get ready - because the shows over.'

The rapper then dropped the mic and left the stage much to crowds frustration.

In the meantime, Kanye has been recovering from a nervous breakdown and has reportedly begun making new music again for his next album.

While Jay-Z released his own album 4.44 last month, providing a striped down, more reflective version of himself appearing to apologise to Beyonce for his alleged infidelities.





Queen B: Beyonce recently gave birth to her second child while her 2016 album Lemonade was considered one of the best in recent years





Dream team: The gang together before the falling outs. Rumours suggested that Kim and Beyonce never quite saw eye to eye





Nervous breakdown: Recently, Kanye was filmed onstage attacking his former friend in a bizarre rant





Going solo: Jay-Z released his own album 4.44 last month, providing a striped down, more reflective version of himself where he appears to apologise to Beyonce for his alleged infidelities

The film depicts the tale of creativity versus commercial gain, inner-city deprivation versus suburban aspiration, of right versus left.

Documentary director Nico Wasserman said: 'In the process of building their empires Jay-Z and Kanye have provided a spine tingling soundtrack for a generation. 

'Their story goes beyond their music and has opened up discussions on everything from class barriers to mental health.' 

Rob Coldstream, Commissioning Editor, Special Factual, added: 'Arguably two of the coolest and most influential artists in the world, their incredible life stories offer a fascinating new twist on the American dream. 

'These are two mega-personalities whose success and rivalry has captured the public's imagination.' 


Public Enemies: Jay-Z v Kanye, produced by ACME Films, is on Channel 4 this summer



ChicagoJay-ZKanye West