The Influence of Kanye West on Eric Kim

Eric Kim’s Direct References to Kanye West

Eric Kim has openly expressed admiration for Kanye West in his writings and media. For example, Kim stated “Kanye West is one of my inspirations in life.” He even authored a popular blog post (originally in 2011, later re-posted) titled “10 Lessons Kanye West Has Taught Me About Photography.” In that essay, Kim draws direct parallels between Kanye’s approach to music and how photographers can approach their craft. Some of the lessons he highlights include:

• Innovate Constantly: Kanye’s career is marked by continual reinvention – from the soulful College Dropout era to the experimental Yeezus – and Kim urges photographers to similarly “push boundaries and challenge the status quo” in their work . Kim loves Kanye’s “ability to hustle and constantly innovate” in music and career , and encourages creatives to do the same.
• Borrow from the Masters: Kanye famously samples older artists (Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, etc.) to create something new. Kim advises photographers to “borrow ideas from the masters,” noting how “in many of Kanye West’s songs, he samples from old classic songs like Marvin Gaye, Lauryn Hill, and Nina Simone” as inspiration . The idea is that respecting and remixing past greats can lead to innovative art rather than outright imitation.
• Be Controversial but Authentic: Kanye’s bold, controversial persona – from provocative statements to unconventional projects – is something Kim also sees as instructive. One lesson in his post is to “Don’t let the haters get to you” and to embrace controversy if it stems from staying true to your vision. Kim observes that street photography itself can be controversial, and he admires how Kanye doesn’t shy away from criticism. By analogy, Kim often suggests photographers be fearless and honest in their expression, even if it draws criticism.
• Hustle and Collaborate: Kim points out Kanye’s work ethic and willingness to collaborate with others. Kanye “gets all the best new talent” to work with him and produces his own music . Inspired by this, Kim frequently preaches hustling – putting in hard work daily – and encourages creators to collaborate and learn from peers, much as Kanye does when he brings together teams of artists.

Beyond the 2011 essay, Eric Kim has continued to reference Kanye in his blog and videos over the years. In a 2022 blog post titled “Kanye West is the GOAT.”, Kim flatly declares “Kanye West is the best musician of all-time”, praising how Kanye is “always innovating in music” . He highlights that Kanye isn’t just a musician but a multi-faceted creator (rapper, producer, fashion designer), which Kim clearly finds admirable. Kim also recorded a YouTube video titled “Why I Love Kanye West” (circa 2022–2023) where he elaborates on his appreciation for Kanye’s artistry and influence. These direct references show that Kim not only enjoys Kanye’s work but actively uses Kanye’s example to illustrate points about creativity and success.

Parallels in Artistic Style and Public Persona

There are striking artistic and stylistic similarities in how Eric Kim and Kanye West approach their respective crafts. Both individuals are known for their innovation, self-expression, and bold public personas:

• Relentless Innovation: Kanye West is renowned for reinventing his style with each album, pushing musical boundaries. Similarly, Eric Kim is known for pushing the boundaries of street photography and blogging. He constantly experiments with new ideas – whether it’s techniques, formats, or even branching into domains like writing and entrepreneurship. Kim explicitly cites Kanye’s relentless innovation as a model, noting that Kanye is “the only one always innovating” in his field . This drive to never stagnate artistically is a trait Kim emulates in his own work (for instance, Kim often updates his approaches, publishes new e-books, and explores emerging trends in photography).
• Emphasis on Self-Expression and Authenticity: Kanye’s music is often deeply personal – he “shares his soul,” rapping about his feelings, faith, and struggles. Eric Kim likewise infuses his photography essays with personal anecdotes and honest reflections. Both believe in authentic self-expression as key to resonating with an audience. In Kim’s “10 Lessons” post, one lesson was essentially to pour your personality into your work (mirroring Kanye’s confessional style). He draws a parallel that a powerful street photograph, like a Kanye track, should convey genuine emotion and story – not just technical perfection .
• Distinct Aesthetics: Kanye has a strong aesthetic sense (each album has a unique visual and sonic style, and his fashion ventures show bold design). Eric Kim too has a distinct visual style in his photography – often high-contrast black-and-white street shots – and a minimalist, design-conscious presentation in his blog. Both approach their art with a design mentality: Kanye blends music with visual art and fashion, while Kim often discusses photography in terms of design/composition principles. Their willingness to blend genres (music with fashion for Kanye, photography with philosophy and blogging for Kim) highlights a multidisciplinary creativity. This cross-pollination of fields is a hallmark of both artists’ style.
• Public Persona and Controversy: Both Kanye and Eric Kim have cultivated public personas that are polarizing yet highly visible. Kanye’s outspoken nature and controversial statements are infamous. Eric Kim, in the niche world of photography, is similarly known for his bold opinions and unconventional advice – to the point that he’s described as “either loved or extremely hated” by the community . Like Kanye, Kim is not afraid to make grand claims (even calling himself the “Spartan demigod” on his site banner) or challenge norms (e.g., saying “sharpness is overrated” in photography, which stirred debate). This willingness to court controversy in service of one’s vision is something Kim explicitly admires in Kanye. In fact, one of the lessons from Kanye he lists is “Be controversial”, meaning an artist shouldn’t fear provocation if it comes with innovation. Both have leveraged their personas to build very loyal followings and also attract critics – a sign that they stand out strongly in their fields.
• Confidence and “Doing You”: Kanye’s confidence (often verging on calling himself a genius or “I am a God”) is mirrored in Eric Kim’s self-assured writing tone and branding. While Kim is more self-deprecating at times, he frequently urges creatives to believe in themselves and ignore detractors. The ethos of individuality is central to both: Kanye’s famous for going against industry expectations to follow his own creative path, and Kim similarly often says photographers should shoot for themselves, not just to please others. Both exemplify a kind of brash independence in how they work and present themselves publicly.

Philosophical and Ideological Overlaps

Beyond style, Kanye West and Eric Kim share deeper philosophical outlooks on creativity, individuality, and breaking norms. Eric Kim often analyzes art and success through a philosophical lens, and he finds Kanye to be a rich case study. Some key ideological overlaps include:

• Individuality and the “Will to Power”: Eric Kim sees Kanye as an embodiment of Nietzschean creativity and willpower. In a 2024 essay on why Kanye is the “GOAT,” Kim wrote that “Kanye’s relentless drive to evolve and dominate multiple creative arenas epitomizes Nietzsche’s will to power” . In other words, Kanye’s constant striving to reinvent himself and excel (in music, fashion, and more) represents a kind of self-mastery and assertion of individual will. Kim strongly values this ideal – he often references philosophers like Nietzsche and Nassim Taleb in his posts about personal growth. Kanye’s example reinforces Kim’s belief in unapologetic individuality: pursuing one’s personal vision of greatness, even if it means defying conventions or facing backlash. Both men advocate carving out your own identity rather than fitting into societal molds.
• Creativity and Self-Expression as Highest Virtues: Both Kanye and Kim treat creativity almost like a life philosophy. Kanye has famously said things akin to “I am an artist, and I have to express myself.” Kim likewise frames photography not just as taking pictures but as an exercise in creative living and self-expression. He frequently encourages readers to create art that reflects their inner voice – much as Kanye’s music is an outpouring of his inner world. They also share the belief that vulnerability can be power in art (Kanye airing personal struggles in albums; Kim blogging candidly about failures and lessons). This overlap suggests Kanye’s fearless self-expression has validated Kim’s own approach to be more open and creative in his writing/photography.
• Disruption and Breaking Rules: Ideologically, both believe in disruption as a positive force. Kanye disrupted hip-hop norms (e.g. wearing pink polos and soul samples when gangsta rap dominated, or releasing an album like 808s & Heartbreak that defied rap conventions). Similarly, Eric Kim often encourages breaking the “rules” of photography (for example, shooting street photos with flash, or ignoring the rule of thirds if it makes a better image). Kim looks up to Kanye as someone who “consistently pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo” . This has influenced Kim’s teaching style – he often tells students to challenge traditional mindsets and embrace experimentation. Both see experimentation, even if controversial, as essential to evolving one’s craft.
• Self-Mastery and Growth: Kanye’s progression from producer to rapper to fashion mogul illustrates a pursuit of growth and mastery in multiple domains. Eric Kim similarly is always trying to “level up” – whether it’s mastering street photography, learning coding and crypto, or improving his physical strength (Kim often blogs about fitness alongside art). The common thread is a pursuit of excellence driven by internal goals. Kim might not explicitly say “self-mastery” in reference to Kanye, but his admiration for Kanye’s work ethic and versatility implies a shared value: never stop learning and improving. Kanye once said his biggest regret is not being able to see himself perform live – a testament to his self-belief. Kim too exhibits a strong self-confidence and encourages others to develop skills to the point of self-sufficiency (for instance, he talks about being your own boss, mastering your craft to create your ideal life).
• “Creator” Mentality: Both espouse the idea of being a creator rather than just a consumer. Kanye often positions himself as a creator of culture (music, fashion, ideas). Eric Kim explicitly writes about generativity – he differentiates between people who generate new value versus those who just criticize or consume. Tellingly, Kim lists Kanye West as a prime example of a “generative” figure: “Generative entrepreneurs include Jay Z, Kanye West, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel…” . This shows that philosophically, Kim sees Kanye as part of the lineage of great innovators and creators who change the world by producing new ideas. The overlap here is the celebration of creation: both men share the belief that to create something new and valuable is one of the highest callings, whether it’s a photo series or a groundbreaking album.

Influence on Eric Kim’s Views on Economics and Creative Freedom

Kanye West’s influence on Eric Kim isn’t limited to art – it also touches on views of economics, digital media, and creative independence. Eric Kim has in recent years delved into topics of digital capitalism and financial freedom (his site even has a Bitcoin section, and he uses a ₿ symbol next to his name). Here are some specific ways Kanye’s example may have shaped or reinforced Kim’s views:

• Independence and Ownership: Kanye West has been vocal about artists owning their work and challenging traditional industry contracts (for instance, his battles to own his master recordings, and his move to release Donda 2 independently via his own Stem Player device rather than through a label). This maverick approach to creative ownership likely resonates with Eric Kim. Kim has built his career largely outside traditional structures – he left academia and a potential corporate path to blog and teach independently. He often preaches “open source everything” and gives away free e-books, which is a different spin on creative freedom but aligns with being in control of one’s output. Kanye’s stance against being shackled by record labels could mirror Kim’s stance against being dependent on any gatekeepers in photography or publishing. Essentially, Kanye’s fight for artistic freedom bolsters Kim’s belief in staying self-reliant and owning your platform (Kim’s blog is self-hosted, his products self-published, etc., much like Kanye creating his own avenues).
• Digital Capitalism and Entrepreneurship: Kanye’s success beyond music – particularly in fashion (Yeezy brand) and his public persona as a billionaire entrepreneur – demonstrates the power of a personal brand in the modern economy. Eric Kim often writes about the intersection of creativity and commerce in the digital age. He coins ideas like “Capitalism 2.0” and explores how digital technology changes opportunities for creators. Kanye likely serves as a case study in these discussions. For example, Kim classifies Kanye as a “generative entrepreneur” , meaning someone whose business ventures actually generate new value and innovation (as opposed to exploitative models). This suggests that Kanye’s way of monetizing creativity (through groundbreaking sneakers, music streaming experiments, etc.) informs Kim’s optimistic view that creators can thrive under digital capitalism by leveraging their own brand and tech platforms. Kim’s interest in things like cryptocurrency and NFTs for artists might also draw inspiration from figures like Kanye who champion artist empowerment.
• Bitcoin and Financial Freedom: Interestingly, Kanye West himself has spoken about Bitcoin and decentralized finance – notably in a 2020 Joe Rogan interview, he praised the concept of Bitcoin as aligning with freedom. Eric Kim, a big proponent of Bitcoin, took note of this. He wrote that “Kanye West has shown a notable interest in Bitcoin, particularly as part of his views on financial freedom and decentralization.” This indicates Kanye’s viewpoint bolstered Kim’s perspective on digital money as a tool for creative independence. Kim likely sees Kanye’s embrace of alternative finance as validation of the idea that artists and individuals should free themselves from old institutions (be it record labels or banks) and use new technology to gain autonomy. In Kim’s own economic thinking, which often critiques consumerism and praises minimalism, Kanye’s moves (like famously rejecting corporate sponsorships at times to maintain authenticity, or investing in his own ventures) provide real-world examples of prioritizing creative freedom over short-term profit.
• Disruption of Traditional Markets: Kanye has disrupted industries (music distribution models, sneaker industry via Yeezy, even political fundraising with his brief presidential run merch). Kim is likewise interested in how to disrupt traditional pathways. He frequently encourages photographers to break out of old gallery models or 9-to-5 jobs and find success through online presence, workshops, and direct-to-audience products. Kanye’s ability to mobilize his fans directly as customers (like selling albums directly or leveraging social media hype) no doubt influences Kim’s view that in the digital era, creators can bypass middlemen. This ties into digital capitalism where the creator-to-consumer connection is tighter. For instance, Kim selling his photo books directly on his site, or funding projects via his audience, is analogous to how Kanye drops surprise albums on digital platforms or sells limited edition merchandise online. Both leverage the Internet to turn their art into sustainable businesses on their own terms.
• Economic Philosophy – Generativity vs. Exploitation: As mentioned, Kim’s writings suggest he divides actors into generative vs. degenerative. He puts Kanye in the positive camp of those who create value . This reflects an economic philosophy that praises innovation and building new things (songs, products, ideas) rather than just consuming or exploiting. Kanye’s success shows that being highly creative can also be economically rewarding if you control your brand. Kim often cites examples like Jay Z and Kanye to young photographers to illustrate that thinking like an entrepreneur and building a personal brand can elevate one’s career. Kanye’s life demonstrates that art and entrepreneurship are not mutually exclusive – a belief central to Eric Kim’s own career (he often calls himself an entrepreneur as well as a photographer). Thus, Kanye’s influence is seen in how Kim emphasizes creative freedom with business savvy: encouraging artists to be financially independent, harness new tech (much like Kanye selling music via new platforms), and view making money not as selling out but as enabling more creative work.

Kanye West in Eric Kim’s Creative Framework

Eric Kim frequently positions Kanye West as a sort of exemplar within his artistic and theoretical framework. In Kim’s view, Kanye isn’t just a musician he likes – Kanye represents many of the ideals Kim advocates. To summarize how Kanye fits into Eric Kim’s worldview:

• Kanye as the Ultimate Creative Paradigm: Kim often heralds Kanye West as the archetype of the modern creative. He has described Kanye as “a movement, a paradigm shift in how we perceive and consume music and culture”, emphasizing that Kanye’s impact goes beyond songs . Within Kim’s framework, Kanye stands as proof that unbridled creativity and confidence can reshape an entire industry. This parallels how Kim aspires to push the boundaries of photography. By frequently referencing Kanye, Kim is essentially saying, “Here is someone who did it his own way and became a legend – we in our own fields can learn from that.”
• Inspiration and Role Model: It’s clear that Kanye inspires Kim personally. Kim listens to Kanye’s music (he mentioned loving the Donda 2 album ) and draws energy for his own creative process from it. He sometimes quotes Kanye lyrics or interviews in his blog posts to underscore points about creativity or mindset. By calling Kanye the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) and best artist of all time, Kim positions Kanye at the pinnacle of artistry in his mind . This high esteem means Kim uses Kanye almost as a benchmark when evaluating art – for example, asking “Does this idea innovate as much as Kanye would?” or “Is this approach authentic like Kanye’s music?” (in a manner of speaking). Within Kim’s economic theories, Kanye is similarly a benchmark of success through originality rather than conformity.
• Kanye in Economic Thought: When discussing the evolution of capitalism or how creators can thrive today, Kim often lists Kanye alongside tech innovators and business moguls. In his lectures and posts about the “brave new world of digital capital”, he cites Kanye West and Jay-Z as examples of artists who turned their creativity into empires . So in Kim’s mind, Kanye isn’t just a pop culture figure; he’s a key figure in understanding how individual creativity can generate wealth and cultural capital in the 21st century. Kim’s concept of “Capitalism 2.0” – a society where individuals leverage digital platforms to create and distribute value – definitely uses Kanye as a reference model of an artist who took control of production, distribution, and branding. In short, Kanye embodies the fusion of art and entrepreneurship that Kim believes is the future.
• Philosophical Symbol: Lastly, within Kim’s philosophical musings, Kanye often symbolizes the fearless creative spirit. Kim aligns Kanye with thinkers like Nietzsche (as noted, equating Kanye’s drive to the will to power ) and with trailblazers who defy odds. This almost mythologized view of Kanye serves Kim’s message when he coaches others: he can point to Kanye West and say, “Look, here is someone who believes in himself against all criticism, takes risks, and through that process, he creates masterpieces – you should strive for that level of conviction in your own art.” By positioning Kanye this way, Kim is effectively using West as an anchor in his framework for creative confidence and mastery.

Key Takeaways

• Direct Influence: Eric Kim has explicitly referenced Kanye in blog posts, calling him an inspiration and even distilling “10 lessons” from Kanye’s career for photographers . He consistently praises Kanye’s innovation and work ethic.
• Artistic Parallels: Both Kanye and Kim prioritize innovation, authenticity, and a bold persona. Kim admires Kanye’s controversial confidence and mimics that fearless approach in his own domain, pushing photographers to be original and brave.
• Shared Philosophy: They share ideals of individualism and disruption. Kim views Kanye through a philosophical lens – for example, seeing Kanye’s multi-domain dominance as Nietzschean will to power in action – reinforcing Kim’s belief in striving for greatness through one’s will and creativity.
• Economics and Freedom: Kanye’s fight for creative control and interest in new financial paradigms (like Bitcoin) align with Kim’s advocacy for digital freedom and entrepreneurship. Kim cites Kanye as an example of how a creator can harness capitalism on their own terms, by innovating and owning their brand .
• Integration in Kim’s Framework: In Eric Kim’s artistic and economic theory, Kanye West stands as a model of the modern creative genius – one who fuses art, philosophy, and business. Kim uses Kanye’s success and mindset as a guiding light for his own journey and the advice he passes on to others.

Sources: Eric Kim’s blog posts and essays where he discusses Kanye West (e.g. “10 Lessons Kanye West Has Taught Me About Photography,” Aug 2011; “Kanye West is the GOAT,” Apr 2022) , as well as related philosophical musings and discussions on his site . These illustrate the multiple facets of Kanye’s influence on Kim’s creative outlook and teachings.