Album after album, Kanye West, an accomplished producer, artist, and songwriter, dazzles fans, critics and celebrities alike. His musical talents stem from those he seemed to be born with as a young child. Learning from his mother who was an English professor, West ignited his passion for poetry at only five-years-old. West and his mother lived in Chicago during this time and growing up he was immersed in rural Chicago street culture: the style, the angst, and the music. Later he would drop out of American Academy of Art to pursue a producing career amongst other influential soul and hip hop artists who quickly saw West’s potential and creative eye.
After many great album successes, Kanye West’s empire is strong. He has a clear brand, and despite some controversy, did not fear to speak his mind. His headstrong, resilient, and genius creative mind has influenced 20th-century hip-hop as history will know it. What can incoming job force millennials learn from “The Kanye West business model”?
Kanye West says “it’s hard for me to speak without a message”. This mindset is what has set many successful companies and brands apart from short-lived ones. The why part of West’s personal brand always went further into depth about real issues than just any shallow lyrics. He wrote lyrics about true societal and cultural realities that most people did not have the confidence to talk about. That deep-seated feeling of his message and its importance to share it is an element of his character and later business mindset that he never changed.
His brand consistency and a unique creative edge has polarized the hip-hop industry as well as listeners of all ages. Due to this, West has a cult-like following intertwined in his brand. Partnering with Adidas apparel, West recently released the coveted Yeezy shoes and other Yeezy apparel. This addition to his business ventures proved to be a million-dollar success and successful adding a new level of engagement with his fan base and expanding on the loyal customers of the Adidas brand. West’s Yeezy Season's simple and edgy design is parallel with his own style and brand concept.
West is an influential hip-hop recording artist, fashion designer, producer, and mogul entrepreneur all want-to-be successful business people can learn lessons from. He is a prime example of how to create a brand unmatched in creativity and success by having a strong and raw message and being fearless in portraying a confident self-image true to your message. Everyone can create a lucrative and consistent brand that is different and unique than others and channeling the Kanye confidence in real life.