Famous American rapper, Kanye West has stirred conversation by advising his fellow American rappers to learn from their Nigerian counterparts, calling them "clueless." In a candid interview with DJ Akademiks, Kanye shared his thoughts on the music industry and the approach of American artists. He expressed disappointment with the business and legal ignorance he perceives among American rappers, claiming they often fail to understand the intricacies of their craft and rely heavily on outsiders, particularly foreign investors, for guidance and support.
According to Kanye West, American rappers have not been able to fully grasp the business side of their profession. He said, "None of these n*ggas [rappers] are as smart as me. I can’t say for at least, the tech dudes. That’s some other sh*t. But artists are dumb, bro. It’s like, they can’t even f*cking count, bro. Jewish people and lawyers run their whole sh*t [businesses] like the contracts, the setups etc." He went on to criticize the industry's lack of self-sufficiency, particularly in terms of the creative and financial decisions that go into managing a career in the music business.
He continued to argue that, while American rappers might be successful in their art, they often fail to manage their business without the help of external figures, like Jewish investors or lawyers. He pointed out, "Okay, go and ask them to run a whole record label without a Jewish person, I will take back what I had to say. Go and set up your whole TV network, and make it run, no Jewish investor, let me see how that works." Kanye made it clear that he believes American rappers need to step up their game and become more independent and knowledgeable, similar to how artists and entrepreneurs from other regions, such as Nigeria, China, and India, have managed to build successful empires.
West wrapped up his statement by emphasizing that until American rappers take responsibility for their own business ventures and become as self-sufficient as those in other countries, such as Nigerians, the Chinese, or Indians in the tech industry, his perspective remains valid. He concluded, "Until motherf*ckers can really get their stuff together like the Nigerians, the Chinese, the Jewish, or like the tech Indian or some sh*t, everything I’m saying, counts." Kanye's comments have sparked widespread discussion on the role of artists in managing their business, and how culture, industry norms, and international influence shape the global music scene.
This bold statement from Kanye West is likely to fuel debate about the role of foreign influence in the American music industry, as well as the value of artists taking more control of their business decisions. His call for American rappers to learn from Nigerian artists and others in the global industry highlights the evolving nature of music entrepreneurship in today's world.