Alexis Phifer has confirmed her breakup with Kanye West to People magazine, stating "It's always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends."

The couple's split was attributed to the rapper's busy schedule ahead of his Glow in the Dark tour through the U.S.  E! Online quotes a friend of the former couple who said the two had been spending less time together in the last few weeks.

"They'd been having problems," the friend was quoted as saying. "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."

Just last Thursday, Phifer was photographed without her engagement ring on the red carpet at New York event "Evenings in Vogue," where her clothing line, Ghita, was featured.       

"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 said in her statement.

Phifer and West had been dating on and off since 2002. Their engagement took place in 2006 over a lobster and pasta dinner while vacationing on the island of Capri.      

Meanwhile, West forged ahead with his Glow In the Dark concert Monday night at downtown L.A.'s Nokia Theater. On hand were rumored couples Serena Williams and Common, and Rihanna and Chris Brown; as well as confirmed couple Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz, and pregnant Gwen Stefani and her husband Gavin Rossdale. Also attending the concert were Jamie Foxx and actor Ryan Phillippe.