A Thin Line Between Greats: Kanye West vs. Steve Jobs
By Technista
Steve Jobs and Kanye West are from different generations and have very different careers, but a recent exchange between Valleywag’s Ryan Tate and Steve Jobs has me thinking about their commonalities. There’s something about these lovable megalomaniacs that make them similar, proving once and for all there’s a thin line between greats.
10. Known the Importance of Design
The two have an obvious affection for style and design. If you visit Mr. West’s www.kanyeuniversecity.com or watch any of his musical videos, then you know about the rapper’s artistic eye, and no need to look much further than a Macbook or iPod to understand Job’s commitment to beauty and design. A few classes at the American Academy of Art helped Kanye West explore the design process, and an interest in a college Calligraphy class was instrumental in the MAC’s typography. Steve Jobs and Kanye West worked with Jonathan Ive and leather’s company Louis Vuitton, respectively.
9. Frequently Parodied for their Egomania
The two men have inspired some of the best comedy around. Dan Lyons took on the faux persona of the Apple Executive for a blog “The Fake Steve Jobs,” and nearly everyone in America had fun with Kanye West’s “I’mma let you finish…” Taylor Swift outburst interruptus.
8. Unique Fashion
Kanye is known about town for his fashionable threads, and Steve Jobs is known for predictable wardrobe of a mock black turtleneck, levi’s and New Balance.
7. Both Are Prone to Acting Out
As a youngster, Steve Jobs was reportedly known for tantrums calling his colleagues “dumbshits” before being placed on the night shift at Atari. Kanye West is known for his tirades against music industry that doesn’t recognize his “genius.”
6. Both are College Drop Outs
Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College because he saw “no value in it,” and Kanye West left Chicago State University because he “wasn’t learning fast enough.”
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