'I am now Ye': Kanye changes name ahead of album release

Kanye West has shed his former identity....well, half his name anyway. Photo / Getty Images

"The being formerly known as Kanye West" now wants us all to call him by a new name...kind of.

The rapper took to Twitter on Sunday morning to reveal he will now go under the stage name of Ye.

He tweeted: "The being formally known as Kanye West...I am YE."

the being formally known as Kanye West

I am YE

— ye (@kanyewest) September 29, 2018

The announcement comes just ahead of West's appearance Saturday Night Live and the upcoming release of his new album, Yhandi.

West will perform on the season premiere of SNL with host Adam Driver and Yhandi is expected to drop during the episode.

The announcement follows news that West invited a homeless man to join him in the recording studio after he performed for the rapper on the street.

The 41-year-old star stopped Nino Blu early on Saturday morning and was sufficiently impressed with his musical talents to invite him to the studio.

Nino - who recently became homeless - was thrilled that Kanye took the time to talk to him, calling it a "miracle".

Kanye has posted a video clip of Nino on his Twitter account, with the aspiring star saying he feels "blessed" to have been given a chance by the outspoken rapper.

nino blu pic.twitter.com/Mk9IlU6AcZ

— ye (@kanyewest) September 29, 2018

-with Bang! Showbiz