Time to rap, no more financial traps. Hit the bar, trap it, one rep max all raw.

Lift free, live free,,, zen zone it in Phnom Penh, your blog is your pen!

.

Time to become a rapper!

Key Points

• Research suggests Eric Kim, the street photographer, is inspired by Kanye West and likely by Jay Z, given his interest in rap music.
• He has explicitly mentioned Kanye West as a favorite musician, and quoted Jay Z in blog posts, indicating respect for both.

Background
Eric Kim is known primarily as a street photographer with a blog where he shares insights on photography, philosophy, and personal interests, including music.

Inspiration from Kanye West
Eric Kim has listed Kanye West among his favorite musicians, indicating direct inspiration from his music (Eric Kim Facts).

Inspiration from Jay Z
While not explicitly listed as a favorite, Eric Kim has quoted Jay Z in his blog posts, suggesting he respects Jay Z’s work or philosophy, such as in discussions about freedom and human fascination (Until You Own Yourself You Can’t Be Free, HUMAN BODY FASCINATION).

Comprehensive Analysis of Eric Kim’s Inspiration from Kanye West and Jay Z

This analysis explores Eric Kim, a street photographer based in Los Angeles, and his potential inspiration from musicians Kanye West and Jay Z, as indicated by his blog posts and public statements. The investigation, conducted on April 6, 2025, aims to clarify the extent of their influence on his work and personal interests, particularly in the context of his recreational rapping and broader creative pursuits.

Initial Observations

Eric Kim is internationally recognized for his street photography, with a significant online presence through his blog, erickimphotography.com, where he teaches workshops and shares personal reflections (Eric Kim | Photographer | All About Photo). His interests extend beyond photography to include music, particularly hip hop and rap, which he has mentioned as a creative outlet, including freestyle rapping for fun.

Exploration of Musical Inspirations

To determine Eric Kim’s inspiration from Kanye West and Jay Z, searches were conducted across his blog and related articles, focusing on mentions of these artists in the context of music or personal philosophy.

• Kanye West Inspiration: In a blog post titled “Eric Kim Facts,” dated February 25, 2017, Eric Kim explicitly lists his music preferences, stating, “In music, I love hip hop/rap music. I love Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, A$AP Ferg, Jay Electronica, Big Sean” (Eric Kim Facts). This direct mention indicates Kanye West is among his favorite musicians, suggesting a clear inspiration from Kanye’s work, likely in terms of musical style and creativity. Another post, “THE PHOTOGRAPHER by ERIC KIM – EK,” dated June 21, 2017, reinforces this by including Kanye West in a list of artists who inspire him, alongside figures like Picasso and Henri Cartier-Bresson (THE PHOTOGRAPHER by ERIC KIM – EK).
• Jay Z Inspiration: Unlike Kanye West, Jay Z is not listed in Eric Kim’s explicit music inspirations. However, several blog posts reveal indirect connections. In “Until You Own Yourself You Can’t Be Free,” dated June 3, 2020, Eric Kim quotes Jay Z: “Until you own yourself, you can’t be me,” in the context of discussing freedom and self-ownership (Until You Own Yourself You Can’t Be Free). Another post, “HUMAN BODY FASCINATION,” dated August 19, 2022, quotes Jay Z: “They can’t believe this much skill in a human body. He’s 6,2 how does he fit in a new Bugatti? Haha f— it you got me,” indicating familiarity with Jay Z’s lyrics and an appreciation for his perspective on human potential (HUMAN BODY FASCINATION). Additionally, in “ERIC KIM VENTURE CAPITALIST,” dated October 1, 2024, he references Jay Z in the context of economics, saying, “I said no to the Super Bowl! You need me I don’t need you — Jay Z,” further showing respect for Jay Z’s business acumen and philosophy (ERIC KIM VENTURE CAPITALIST). These quotes suggest that while not explicitly listed as a favorite musician, Jay Z’s work and ideas have influenced Eric Kim’s thinking, particularly in areas beyond music, such as personal freedom and societal commentary.

Contextual Analysis

Eric Kim’s engagement with rap music is recreational, as seen in his post “The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems,” where he discusses enjoying rapping for fun and drawing inspiration from music to fuel his creativity (The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems – ERIC KIM). Given his stated love for hip hop and the inclusion of Kanye West in his favorites, it’s reasonable to infer that Kanye’s innovative production and lyrical depth have inspired Eric Kim’s creative process, possibly influencing his approach to photography as a form of artistic expression. For Jay Z, the quotes suggest an admiration for his lyrical content and entrepreneurial mindset, which may resonate with Eric Kim’s own philosophy of self-reliance and creative independence, as seen in his blogging and workshop teachings.

Possible Misinterpretations and Alternatives

It’s possible the user meant another Eric Kim, such as a rapper, but searches for “Eric Kim rapper” primarily returned results about Eric B. & Rakim, where Eric B. is the DJ and Rakim is the rapper, with no indication of another Eric Kim in the rap scene (Eric B. & Rakim – Wikipedia). Given the context of previous discussions about Eric Kim the photographer, it’s likely the user is referring to him, and his inspiration from Kanye and Jay Z aligns with his broader interest in rap music and personal philosophy.

Comparative Analysis

Both Kanye West and Jay Z are iconic figures in hip hop, known for their lyrical prowess and cultural impact. Kanye’s experimental production and personal storytelling may appeal to Eric Kim’s creative side, while Jay Z’s business acumen and lyrical themes of success and freedom resonate with Eric Kim’s entrepreneurial approach to photography. The absence of Jay Z in his explicit music list but presence in quotes suggests a more indirect influence, possibly through cultural osmosis given Jay Z’s prominence in the genre.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The evidence leans toward Eric Kim being inspired by both Kanye West and Jay Z, with Kanye explicitly listed as a favorite musician and Jay Z referenced in quotes that indicate respect for his work and philosophy. For further clarity, one could explore additional interviews or social media posts, though current searches suggest these are the primary sources. Given his recreational rapping and blogging, it’s likely both artists have influenced his creative and personal outlook, particularly in how he approaches art and life.

Table: Summary of Eric Kim’s Inspirations from Kanye West and Jay Z

Artist	Explicit Mention as Favorite	Quoted in Blog Posts	Likely Influence
Kanye West	Yes, in “Eric Kim Facts”	No	Musical style, creativity in art
Jay Z	No	Yes, multiple quotes	Philosophy, freedom, business acumen

This table summarizes the direct and indirect connections, highlighting the different ways each artist has impacted Eric Kim.

Key Citations

• Eric Kim photographer biography on All About Photo
• Eric Kim Facts on his blog
• THE PHOTOGRAPHER by ERIC KIM – EK on his blog
• Until You Own Yourself You Can’t Be Free on his blog
• HUMAN BODY FASCINATION on his blog
• ERIC KIM VENTURE CAPITALIST on his blog
• The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems on his blog
• Eric B. & Rakim Wikipedia page