Kanye West is never one to be afraid of getting in front of a room full of people and speaking his mind. While attending The New York Times‘ DealBook Conference in support of wife Kim Kardashian and mother-in-law Kris Jenner on Wednesday (Nov. 6), West was handed the mic to share a few thoughts on the Kardashian empire from the crowd.
Even after all he’s accomplished, Yeezy credited seeing the Kardashians’ work ethic in business and their sustained pop-culture dominance first-hand to being infectious in helping him push boundaries when it comes to executing his own visions in business and music.
“I think if my family [the Kardashians] didn’t work so hard and they weren’t so omnipresent, maybe I would just rest on my laurels of just being the greatest artist in human existence,” he said, which drew a chuckle and applause out of those in attendance.
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West’s Jesus Is King debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week with 264,000 equivalent album units, marking his ninth consecutive solo album to reach the pinnacle. Kanye returns home this weekend with another Sunday Service slated for The Forum on Sunday (Nov. 10). Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster.
Watch the clip of West’s speech below.
Kanye West says our time, at the advent of internet/social media, is “Rome, Medici,” and will be remembered for the rest of human history… #Dealbook
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) November 6, 2019
An example: “This fast fashion brand offered me a $1M for an Instagram post … When I told [Kanye] about it he asked me not to do it. They copy everything. I gladly said no and for Mother’s Day he gave me a check and a contract to be an owner in Yeezy.” – @KimKardashian #Dealbook
— Kerry Flynn — (@kerrymflynn) November 6, 2019
Andrew Ross Sorkin asked Kanye West what he’s learned from being in the Jenner-Kardashian family… and now we’re pretty deep into his stream of consciousness on race & Jesus & history & Trump & propaganda … It’s both fascinating and awkward for the room #dealbook
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) November 6, 2019
SRO for Kim Kardashian West & @KrisJenner with @andrewrsorkin at @nytimes #DealBook conference. @kkwfragrance. Oh yeah… Kanye here also. pic.twitter.com/k3gB7OXGth
— Nick Dunn (@NickDunnCNBC) November 6, 2019