Kanye & Fiance Break off Engagement

Rapper Kanye West and his fiancée of a year and a half, designer Alexis Phifer have broken off their engagement, Phifer confirms to PEOPLE exclusively.

"It's always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends,” Phifer tells PEOPLE. "I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors. He's one of the most talented people I've ever met."

Phifer was spotted on the red carpet sans her engagement ring at an "Evenings in Vogue" event on Thursday night in New York, where her clothing line, Ghita, was featured.

"They'd been having problems," a pal of West's says. "Kanye is really focused on his show; he's putting everything into the show right now. Alexis is a nice girl, but Kanye has been going through a rough time. They hit a rough patch and for now they've split."

According to the friend, Phifer and West, both 30, had been spending less time together in the last few weeks as the Grammy-winning star prepared for his nationwide "Glow in the Dark" tour. "I haven't seen [Alexis] around at all the last few times I’ve seen him recently," the friend added.

The couple, who have dated on and off since 2002, got engaged over a lobster and pasta dinner during a vacation on the island of Capri in August 2006.

A rep for West, currently on tour, had no comment.
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man, im tellin you Kanye need to stop playin and just call me LOL