Controversial rapper Kanye West has criticized American rappers, calling them “clueless” about the business side of music while urging them to learn from Nigerian artists.
In a recent interview with DJ Akademiks, Kanye claimed that many U.S. rappers lack financial and legal knowledge, relying heavily on outsiders to manage their contracts and record labels.
“None of these nggas [rappers] are as smart as me. Artists are dumb, bro. They can’t even count. Jewish people and lawyers run their whole sht—contracts, setups, everything,” he said.
Kanye challenged American artists to operate their own record labels and media networks without outside investors, doubting their ability to succeed independently. He then praised Nigerians, alongside Chinese, Jewish, and Indian business figures, for their self-sufficiency and ability to build strong industries.
His comments have sparked reactions, with many debating the impact of Nigerian artists and entrepreneurs in the global music industry.
