Creative genius, modern icon and business mogul Elon Musk is often compared to Kanye West. While it’s not always said in a complimentary manner, is there really any merit to these comparisons? From their out-of-the-box thinking to their pet projects, could Musk just be a more mild-mannered West? Is Musk really inspired by Kanye West.
To answer this question, it’s important to look at both men’s lives and careers. Musk is a self-made billionaire entrepreneur, industrial designer, engineer, and inventor, who is now on a mission to send human beings to Mars via his space exploration startup, SpaceX. West is a well-known rapper, record producer and fashion designer famous for his show-stopping performances, rants, and other eccentric behaviors.
Experts say their biggest similarities are their creative pursuits, risk-taking impulses and ‘larger than life’ personalities. In many ways, Musk and West are radical visionaries, with an unquenchable thirst for offering bold solutions and introducing radical ideas. They both pursue their passions with relentless and inexhaustible energy. They are both driven by an unbeatable inner-fire that keeps them focused and motivated.
Matt Dearden, a business and media analyst is of the opinion that they possess a certain maverick mindset and approach to building their own personal brands. Deardon states that “Musk and West both have a totally unique and one of a kind approach to life and business, something you rarely see in this industry. They’ve both gone against the mainstream, rigorously pursuing goals that have kept them ahead of their game.”
Meena Pollard, a marketing and branding professional is of a different opinion. “I don’t necessarily think Musk is inspired by West but more so energized by the prospect of outdoing him. West has long been a talking point and certainly a shame for Musk. That’s why I believe he keeps the focus on his vision, and the similarities between their ambition is something of coincidence”.
Regardless of whether or not Musk is directly inspired by West, the similarities in their thinking make it impossible to ignore the impact each man has had on the other. On the occasions when West has appeared to be drowning in controversy, Musk has stepped in and been willing to go to bat for him.
So is Elon Musk really inspired by Kanye West? That is something that only Musk can really answer. Despite speculation on the nature of their relationship and the sincerity of their admiration for each other’s work, they both continue to innovate and remain among the most influential entrepreneurs and artists of the modern age.
Their Passions
Both men have very different passions in life but they both have ambitious goals they are determined to accomplish.Elon Musk’s goal is to revolutionize transportation both on Earth and in space and make it accessible to everyone. He is an advocate for green energy and a revolutionary inventor, engineer, philanthropist and entrepreneur. He has made his passions become a reality by creating the world’s first commercially viable electric car, the Tesla Roadster. Kanye West on the other hand is a musician, singer, songwriter, fashion designer and creative genius. His passion is to create art that can influence and empower generations of people and he has done just that with his award winning albums, groundbreaking fashion designs and spoken word performances.
The Risk Taking Ventures
Both men have ventured into risky projects in the hope of expanding their impact on the world. Elon Musk’s most famous risk taking venture was starting his own space exploration company known as SpaceX. After being unable to find others who were willing to fund his project he decided to go it alone and founded the company in 2002. Since then, it has become the world’s most successful space exploration company, sending the first commercial spacecraft to the International Space Station and becoming the first private company to launch a satellite into orbit. Kanye West’s riskiest venture was the launch of his Yeezys, a shoe designed in collaboration with the sportswear brand Adidas. He took a huge risk by asking for a substantial share of the profits, something Adidas had never done before, and although it was a shaky start, the Yeezys have become a runaway success and are now highly sought after.
The Public Image
In the public eye, Elon Musk is seen as a serious and passionate innovator, who is driven by a vision to bring about change. He takes criticism well and is known for his humility and selflessness when it comes to his projects. Kanye West on the other hand, is seen as a brash and flamboyant individual who often courted controversy with his outlandish statements. In recent years however, he has evolved into a more fatherly figure and has inspired many of his fans by openly discussing his struggles with mental health. The two men have very different public images, but both of them are seen as successful icons in their own right.
But despite their differences, both men do share similar traits and an ability to think outside the box. For example, Musk is well-known for his innovative ideas and creative solutions, while West is known for his creative lyricism and bold fashion choices. They also both have an unwavering determination and passion for what they do and a commitment to achieving their dreams and goals. Both men are fiercely independent and are driven to make a difference in the world, whether it’s through space exploration or music. These shared traits have been the bedrock of their success.
The Impact They Have Had On Each Other
Both Musk and West have had a profound influence on each other. Musk has praised West’s creativity and his fearlessness when it comes to pushing boundaries. He has said that West “doesn’t succumb to convention and has a lot of courage”, a trait he greatly admires. Similarly, West has said that Musk has “inspired me to keep going and never be scared of the unknown or the impossible”. West has also stated that Musk’s relentless work ethic has been a great inspiration for him. Their admiration for each other’s work ethic and creative instincts shows the strong impact each man has had on the other.
Their Unique Branding Strategies
Another similarity that Musk and West share is their unique and innovative approach to branding. Musk has turned his companies into powerful brands, and is notorious for his unconventional strategies and relentless hard work. West on the other hand, has taken a more artistic approach to branding. He has used music to create an emotional connection with his fans and has also used his larger-than-life personality to create a personal brand that stands out from the crowd. From their extreme creativity and self-belief, to their outspokenness and their clever branding strategies, Musk and West have revolutionized the way we think about business, marketing and art.
The Battle To Reach New Heights
Though both men are influential in their own right, it appears that there may be a friendly rivalry between them to outdo each other. In recent years, both men have announced ambitious projects, from Musk’s plans to colonize Mars to West’s plans to build a housing development that provides homes for the homeless. These ambitious plans have been met with skepticism from many, but the men continue to push forward, unshaken by criticism and determined to reach new heights. Their commitment to their dreams is something that we can all admire and is evidence of the strong bond that these two have forged.
The Reception From Fans
The similarities between Musk and West have not gone unnoticed by their fans. Many have said that they both inspire them to think outside of the box and strive for perfection. Others have praised both of their ambitious nature, stating that “These two are a source of inspriation for all of us”. Whether or not Musk is inspired by West is unclear, but what is certain is that these two men have had an undeniable effect on each other’s work and on the world at large.
