Musician Kanye West speaks during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office on October 11, 2018. EPA
Musician Kanye West speaks during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office on October 11, 2018. EPA
Musician Kanye West speaks during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office on October 11, 2018. EPA
Musician Kanye West speaks during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office on October 11, 2018. EPA

Why I think Kanye West's presidential bid is actually about selling albums and clothes


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Eyes rolled, foreheads wrinkled and heads shook on Saturday when Kanye West announced he would run for the US presidency. Not in 2024, no: he plans to run this year.

It was the strangest bit of news this week: but only this week, because in this maelstrom of a year, we’ve become inured to the weird.

The Ultralight Beam rapper, 43, chose to announce the news on Twitter on July 4, aka US Independence Day. Contrived timing.

“We must now realise the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future,” West said in the tweet. “I am running for president of the United States. #2020vision.”

Many dismiss West’s Twitter outbursts, speeches and announcements as rants. But that is to underestimate him. West is a wizard of stirring media attention so he can piggyback the promotion of an upcoming album or business deal as his mentions rise.

This is what I think he’s doing with his West 2020 bid. Let me explain...

After West announced his 2020 Vision, Elon Musk – founder of Tesla and fellow fan of controversial tweets – endorsed his run for president, tweeting: “You have my full support!” Much less surprising was Kim Kardashian’s nod of approval; she replied to West’s announcement with an emoji of the US flag.

Is West sincere? Well, he’s very late to the race. He’s already missed the deadline for running for the Democrats or the Republicans, which means he has to run as an independent.

If he wants to see his name on the ballot alongside Donald Trump – who he’s supported in the past – and Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden, he has his work cut out for him, and time isn’t on his side.

Of course, his running could also be a way to take votes away from Biden, a tactic that would favour Trump. West has endorsed Trump in the past and has visited the White House, where he was pictured wearing a "Make American Great Again!" hat.

I don't think West is serious about setting up shop in the Oval Office. Sure, we may still see his name on the ballot but, to West, joining the presidential race could be nothing more than an elaborate marketing ploy for his upcoming album, God's Country.

It is interesting that he announced his bid mere days after releasing a new single, Wash Us in the Blood with Travis Scott. He has more than music to promote right now, too: he just signed a deal with American clothing brand Gap for an upcoming collection.

‘My next trick will be a slightly modified version of my last trick’

This also isn’t the first time that West has declared his intentions to run for president.

In August 2015, after receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards, West took to the stage to deliver an epic rant that went viral mostly because of its closing remark:

“It’s about ideas, bro. New ideas. People with ideas. People who believe in truth. And yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president.”

Six months later, his critically acclaimed The Life of Pablo – three years in the making – was released.

In the week leading up to its release, West proclaimed it as not only the album of the year but the “album of the life”, and then took on Wiz Khalifa in a fiery and bizarre Twitter feud, before writing in caps “Bill Cosby is innocent” with a flurry of exclamation marks.

West may be controversial, but he’s far from unpredictable.

He knows his outbursts, comments and fashion choices can shepherd headlines. And he knows how to make the attention work for him.

He had a similar approach in 2018, a month before the release of his eighth studio album, Ye. It was a tumultuous promotional cycle, even by Kanye standards – he returned from a Twitter hiatus, singing praise for everyone from Trump to the Hindu spiritual guru Amma Mata.

Then he appeared on TMZ and spewed out infamous remarks on slavery, saying it "sounds like a choice".

West knows controversy attracts media attention, and he knows media attention can help promote sales. He is a vanguard of the phrase “no such thing as bad publicity” and there’s nothing like announcing a bid to become president to turn heads.

As the US poet Hanif Abdurraqib said in a tweet: “Have to say I am once again surprised to see that there are many people who appear to be unfamiliar with an album promotion cycle”. He followed this tweet by writing:  “... and for my next trick, I am going to be performing a slightly modified version of my last trick”.

I am inclined to concur with Abdurraqib. But, then again, given the Slinky-like turns and twists this year has taken, I could be completely wrong with regards to West’s intentions, and by the end of the year, we may be referring to him as the 46th president of the US.

Stranger things have happened.

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

'Morbius'

Director: Daniel Espinosa 

Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona

Rating: 2/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SPECS

Nissan 370z Nismo

Engine: 3.7-litre V6

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 363hp

Torque: 560Nm

Price: Dh184,500

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Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea
 Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
Genesis G80 2020 5.0-litre Royal Specs

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Gearbox: eight-speed automatic

Power: 420hp

Torque: 505Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L/100km

Price: Dh260,500

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

The specs

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The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback

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Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km

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WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Playing records of the top 10 in 2017

How many games the top 10 have undertaken in the 2017 ATP season

1. Rafael Nadal 58 (49-9)

2. Andy Murray 35 (25-10)

3. Roger Federer 38 (35-3)

4. Stan Wawrinka 37 (26-11)

5. Novak Djokovic 40 (32-8)

6. Alexander Zverev 60 (46-14)

7. Marin Cilic 43 (29-14)

8. Dominic Thiem 60 (41-19)

9. Grigor Dimitrov 48 (34-14)

10. Kei Nishikori 43 (30-13)

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Samaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Group A

Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA

Group B

Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti

Group C

Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia

Group D

Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:

Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona

Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate

Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid

RACE RESULTS

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012 
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

New schools in Dubai
No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

SPECS

Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 306hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Director: Jon Watts

Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon 

Rating:*****

Naga
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Al Jazira's foreign quartet for 2017/18

Romarinho, Brazil

Lassana Diarra, France

Sardor Rashidov, Uzbekistan

Mbark Boussoufa, Morocco

Honeymoonish
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