Kanye West is to marry his model girlfriend Amber Rose.

The 'Gold Digger' rapper - whose mother Donda West passed away in November 2007 from complications that arose during a cosmetic surgery procedure - is reportedly planning to whisk the former stripper away to the Caribbean early next year to propose.

A friend said: "He has really bonded with her since losing his mother and needs another strong woman in his life."

The pair are heading to an eight-bedroom, £2,000-a-night villa in the Dominican Republic for the romantic occasion.

The source added to Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "He's very serious, otherwise he wouldn't be spending that much money on her."

Earlier this year, Amber admitted she was bisexual and could fall in love with a man or a woman.

She said: "I'm extremely open about my sexuality."

It will be the second time in as many months that Kanye will be heading to the Caribbean holiday spot - he was among the esteemed guests at the birthday bash of Jay-Z, which took place on the island earlier this month.

Mary J. Blige, Kate Hudson, Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys and Ne-Yo were among the other celebrities at the 40th birthday of the hip-hop star.