[Muyideen A.] Kanye’s Presidential Ambition: A Dream of Self-Actualization

Man is an embodiment of ambitions, he is a being with desires that are insatiable. The more he has the more he desires. According to Abraham Maslow in his famous hierarchy of needs, he posits that self-actualization which is the smallest triangle on the pyramid is the level or peak every man aspires for. The actualization of dreams brings with it fulfillment, one which gives the power and motivation to see oneself as being distinct among a larger populace.

In July of 2020, through his twitter account, Kanye West made it known to the members of the public that he will be running for president of the United States of America while citing his spiritual calling by God to be the leader of the free world on the Joe Rogan podcast. Kanye West believed that he has the chance of becoming president despite people not taking him serious and for someone like Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump who were not politicians to become president, he definitely has the chance to become one. Being an African American from Atlanta, Georgia which was famously known for its role in the slave trade with notable men in the history of the state such as William and Ellen Craft, James Madison etc. plays a significant role in shaping Kanye West coupled with the rise of a black person in the person of Barack Obama in 2008. It is an eye opener for someone like Kanye West who has millions of followers on social media to start his movement while hoping to gain relevance within the
political space outside of music.

Kanye West in order to create his own narrative in the political space proclaimed himself as the leader of the free nation. According to socialblade.com (2022), the rapper has more than 8.5million Youtube subscribers with earning of millions of dollars on Youtube. Money is really not a motivation for Kanye’s willingness to be involved in politics, looking at his millions of endorsement with Adidas and more than $6billion in net worth according to CNN. Kanye west has more than 17.9million followers on Instagram which is more than the size of Austria, Honduras or United Arab Emirate etc. This followers are far more than Georgia, Pennsylvania or Illinois which are all states in the United States of America.

Kanye West political journey came to limelight during the reign of President George Bush during his tenure and his position on the 9-11 terrorist hijack of the world trade center in the United States and his policies which he sees as being anti-black with racial undertones, he also supported President Donald Trump during his presidential campaign. It was reported that sometimes in September of 2005, Kanye West uttered that “George Bush really doesn’t care about black people” during a concert for people hit by the hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. During a presidential campaign of Senator Hillary Clinton in 2016, West took a selfie with her to show his solidarity for good governance in the United States of America. Looking at the timeline, one can categorically say that West has continued to involve in politics directly and indirectly while he has continued to learn from those who have been at the forefront in political activities in the US. Then, we can say that these steps are not financially motivated but the belief of a young man who has continued to believe in his political will and the opportunities presented in a country filled with diverse race. Despite heavy criticism, West still went ahead to support Donald Trump to win the presidential election. In 2018 he went ahead to do a collaboration with T.I on his politically charged song “Ye vs. the People” reflecting on the role Obama and Trump played in his aspiration to become a president. As Obama was a black man who was never expected to have been a president for two-terms and Trump who is a business man and not a politician to have become president.

In conclusion, we can deduce that his aspiration to become president is goal driven based on his self-will or ambition to achieve greatness despite all odds and the negative perception of the public. Now that his marriage just witnessed a crumble, I hope he can pick-up the pieces and held for the polls in the future.

Author Credit: Muyideen A: Fin Accountant. Data Analyst. Writing Consultant. Researcher 
"I am a qualified chartered accountant with over 10years experience in banking and ecommerce businesses. I am also a consultant on audit and tax related matters. I am also a researcher and I have published articles in international journals. I also carry out data analytics using IBM SPSS for research analysis and I also provide consultancy services on business and brand management. I also love to help design logo and content as well as write articles for SEOs and businesses. I also have a masters degree in Accounting."
"I am also a writer and a poet with more than 12 years experience writing professionally and getting my works published online. I am dedicated to what I do and I give my clients the best of services."