Controversial music mogul Kanye West has sparked fresh debate in the hip-hop community with his latest remarks praising Nigerian artists while criticizing what he perceives as shortcomings among American rappers. The Grammy-winning artist’s comments came during a candid interview with popular hip-hop commentator DJ Akademiks, where he addressed issues of business acumen and industry knowledge.
West, known for his unfiltered opinions, suggested that American rappers should look to their Nigerian counterparts as models for artistic and business success. His statements highlight ongoing conversations about financial literacy and independence in the music industry, particularly among Black artists.
“I’ve been watching what’s happening in Nigeria for years now,” West stated during the interview. “These artists are building empires, controlling their masters, creating their own distribution channels. Meanwhile, too many American rappers are still signing the same exploitative deals we’ve been warned about since the ’90s.”
The Chicago-born producer and fashion designer expressed frustration at what he described as a lack of business awareness among his peers. According to West, many American hip-hop artists remain dependent on external management and legal teams, often leading to unfavorable contract terms and limited control over their creative output.
“None of these nggas [rappers] are as smart as me,” West said bluntly. “I can’t say for at the least, the tech dudes. That’s some other sht. But artists are dumb, bro. It’s like, they can’t even fcking count, bro. Jewish people and lawyer run their whole sht [businesses] like the contracts, the setups etc.”
He challenged American artists to demonstrate independence from traditional industry structures: “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.”
West’s comments about Jewish people in the music industry have already drawn criticism from some quarters, with several advocacy groups calling his remarks antisemitic. These statements follow a pattern of controversial comments about Jewish people that have previously caused West to lose major business partnerships.
Industry analysts note that the Nigerian music scene, particularly the Afrobeats genre, has experienced remarkable global growth in recent years. Artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido have achieved international success while maintaining strong business infrastructures within Nigeria.
Music business consultant Teresa Okonkwo explains, “What’s happening in Lagos is remarkable. Many Nigerian artists have built vertically integrated companies that handle everything from production to distribution to merchandising. They understood early on that ownership is crucial.”
West specifically praised the entrepreneurial spirit he sees in Nigerian music culture. “These guys aren’t waiting for some major label to give them permission. They’re building studios, creating their own sounds, and then licensing their work globally on their terms. That’s the model.”
The comments come at a time when music industry practices are under increased scrutiny. Recent congressional hearings have examined issues of artist compensation in the streaming era, with many performers arguing that current business models disproportionately benefit labels and platforms over creators.
Several American hip-hop artists have responded to West’s remarks. Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill acknowledged some truth in the criticism, writing on social media: “He’s not wrong about everything. Too many of us don’t read the contracts or understand the business. Then we end up broke after having hits.”
Others defended American artists’ business acumen. Atlanta producer Metro Boomin countered: “Plenty of us are running successful companies and building wealth the right way. Don’t generalize a whole industry based on some bad examples.”
Music attorney Damon Phillips suggests West’s comments, while provocatively expressed, touch on legitimate concerns. The historical exploitation of Black artists in America created patterns that are difficult to break. What we’re seeing in Nigeria and other emerging markets is artists who began their careers with ownership models from the start.
West has long positioned himself as both an artist and entrepreneur, having expanded from music into fashion, architecture, and various business ventures. His Yeezy brand partnership with Adidas was valued at billions before controversy ended the relationship in 2022.
Nigerian music journalist Oluwaseun Adebayo notes that many African artists have had to build independent structures out of necessity: “When major labels weren’t interested in African music, artists here had to create their own ecosystems. That forced entrepreneurship has now become a strength.”
Industry education has become an increasingly important topic in music circles, with several artist-led initiatives now focusing on financial literacy and business training for emerging performers.
West concluded his thoughts on the subject by suggesting American hip-hop needs a fundamental shift in mentality. “It’s time to stop thinking like employees and start thinking like owners. That’s what I see in Nigeria and across Africa. They’re not asking permission to succeed.”
Whether West’s latest controversial statements will influence industry practices remains to be seen, but they have certainly reignited conversations about artist empowerment and business education in hip-hop culture.
