Unlike his political role model, Donald Trump, rapper-designer-revivalist Kanye West is unafraid to show his financial paperwork.
When West appeared on Forbes’ August 31, 2019 cover it was a bittersweet victory. He was upset that the 102-year-old business journal not use the term “billionaire” to describe him, making comments in public (and suggesting he may just changed his name to Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West as a result) and, according to Forbes, sending dismayed texts directly to editors in private.
When Forbes’ annual billionaires list debuted earlier in April, West felt he was being purposely left off because of his race and to downplay his self-made narrative. “You’re toying with me and I’m not finna lye [sic] down and take it anymore in Jesus name,” he texted, according to Forbes.
On Thursday, West ordered his financial team to release the fiduciary Kraken.
While the bean counters at Forbes prevaricated by remarking that “Yeezy is a complicated asset” and that West’s total worth is far below his claimed $3 billion, they agreed that, yes, indeed, the college dropout is, in fact, a billionaire. A $1.3 billionaire, in fact.
Forbes’ correction comes with a Yeezy deep dive, explaining how his footwear line is connected with Addidas’ fortunes, and how his lavish lifestyle might make determining his liquidity complex. Remember that West, who maintains aspirations to run for president in 2024, owns a tank.
It remains unclear if West’s next Sunday Service Choir will reference Matthew 19:24.