Kanye West has once again sparked debate in the music industry, this time urging American rappers to take inspiration from their Nigerian counterparts when it comes to business acumen and industry independence.
In a recent interview with DJ Akademiks, the outspoken rapper criticized his peers, calling them “clueless” in business matters. He claimed that many American rappers depend too heavily on external forces, particularly Jewish executives and lawyers, to handle their finances and legal affairs.
Kanye West praises Nigerians in his interview with DJ Akademiks pic.twitter.com/kAyqxxi54E
— NOTJUSTOK (@NOTJUSTOK) March 31, 2025
West highlighted Nigerian rappers as a model of self-sufficiency, stating that they, along with Chinese and Indian artists, have successfully built record labels, TV networks, and music empires without relying on outsiders. According to him, this independence is something American rappers should strive to replicate.
His remarks have stirred intense discussions online, with some industry insiders supporting his push for more ownership within hip-hop, while others argue that his statements are overly generalized. As always, Kanye’s words have left the industry divided, but they’ve also reignited conversations about artist ownership, financial literacy, and creative control in the music business.
