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We’re pretty sure there isn’t a soul in this country who doesn’t know who Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are. They are pop culture royalty — more influential than the Obamas.

(OK, maybe that’s not true).

But they are pop culture stars. However, it wasn’t always like that (obvs).

Kim Kardashian first hit the scene in 2006, and she hasn’t left since. So we thought it would be cool to see where both were at each year, from 2006, when Kimmy first became a thing, to 2012, when KimYe became a thing.

2006

Kanye West

In 2006, Kanye West was what he is now: one of the most popular artists in pop music. A year before, Kanye released his critically acclaimed Late Registration album, so he was still eating off of that, hitting up the festival market throughout the year. A 2006 highlight came when he cleaned up at the Grammys, winning Best Rap Album. And wearing a lavender suit.

Kim Kardashian

While Kim was famous, she wasn’t worldwide famous. She was mostly known as being Paris Hilton’s buddy. As for her business, she was running her own boutique shop with her sisters, called D-A-S-H. She made some minor wrinkles in the tabloid world when she was rumored to be dating Nick Lachey.

2007 

Kanye West

Kanye West’s 2007 started off on a high note: he was still in a relationship with his longtime girlfriend Alexis Phifer.

The rapper spent most of the year working on and promoting his third solo album Graduation. The release of Graduation was a big moment, because it was released on September 11th — the same day as 50 Cent’s Curtis. Kanye would end up outselling 50.

Kanye’s 2007 ended in a major downer: Kanye broke up with Alexis, and the rapper’s mother, Donda West, died during surgery.

Kim Kardashian

“My girl a superstar all from a home movie.” Kanye was, of course, talking about the sex tape featuring Kim Kardashian and Ray J that was released to the world in 2007. Most people agree with Kanye, saying that the tape birthed Kim’s celebrity.

With the release of the sex tape, more opportunities came calling. The big one was the reality show, which features Kim and her sisters, Khloe and Kourtney. The show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, has become one of the most popular programs in E!’s history.

Kim also started dating NFL star Reggie Bush, who was playing for the New Orleans Saints in 2008.

We also can’t forget to mention that the star looked smoking hot on the cover of Playboy’s December issue that year.

2008

Kanye West 

Losing his mother and girlfriend in the same year had a devastating effect on Kanye West. The rapper stayed away from the spotlight; instead he buried himself in a Hawaii studio and recorded 808s & Heartbreak, an album that featured little rapping. Instead, Kanye sung about having a broken heart.

Kim Kardashian

Kim’s career was still on the rise. She was polarizing, sure, but she was getting various media opportunities. She appeared in the critically panned Disaster Movie, and she had a short stint as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.

2009

Kanye West 

Kanye West started making the rounds with a new mysterious girl. She had an amazing face, body and short blonde hair. She was Amber Rose, and she would be Kanye’s main squeeze until the two broke up in 2010.

Oh, and 2009 was the year of Taylor Swift. During the VMAs that year, Kanye went batshit after Taylor Swift won a VMA ‘Ye thought Beyonce should have won. During Taylor’s acceptance speech, Kanye interrupted the singer, and proclaimed that the award belonged to Bey. Kanye was killed because of it.

Kim Kardashian

The Kim K money train just kept on rolling. Kim spent most of 2009 picking up checks, endorsing products like Carl’s Jr.

2010 

Kanye West

After being persona non grata for most of the year, due to the Taylor Swift thing, Kanye stayed away from the spotlight. Kanye again went back to Hawaii and recorded an album: this time he made the rap masterpiece My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

Kim Kardashian

 

Again, Kim K’s profile as the most infamous celebrity in the world was rising, mostly because Paris Hilton’s celebrity profile was shrinking. It was a business-as-usual kind of year for Kim. One highlight came when her beau, Reggie Bush, won the Super Bowl.

2011 

Kanye West 

Kanye West’s hit streak continued with the release of Watch the Throne, the really big collabo album with Jay Z. The two would spend most of 2011 touring, promoting that album and performing “Niggas in Paris” a million times.

Kim Kardashian 

For most of 2011, Kim owned the headlines, mainly for two reasons: she split with Reggie Bush and she got with another athlete, NBA player Kris Humphries. The two would have a short but intense relationship, which peaked when they got married. The two ended up getting divorced a short time later.

2012

They unite!

It was only natural that the two would get together, considering that they were both single and ready to mingle. After some rumors, Kanye confirmed he was with Kim after he released “Cold.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty, ABC, Playboy

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