Gabriel Ferrer, a senior copywriter at DDB’s multi-cultural agency in Miami, Agency Alma, is a self-confessed fan of Kanye West. There is an obvious question – “Why?” but this is not that article. The short answer is, “Kanye West has power.”
And that is relevant to the story. Pretty much everything Kanye West does, says and tweets gives birth to thousands of media words and images. He does, says and tweets outrageous things. He has an innate ability to turn otherwise tolerant people into haters.
Kanye West recently tweeted Mark Zuckerberg, all his friends, all his fans and everybody else in the world, with a plea for money. Money to the tune of US$53 million. Because, the rapper who has just lavishly updated his home, turns social media into a showcase for his extravagant lifestyle and is married to a rather wealthy Kardashian, reckons he needs it.
Then, Kanye went further. He suggested in a tweet rant that investing in him was a better use of money than, say, funding a school in Africa.
For Gabriel Ferrer, that was one Kanye stupidity too many. So he created #HelpKenyaNotKanye to divert any funds that might be directed towards Kanye’s…um, needs. On the website Ferrer has created, he outlines what those funds might be used for.
The price of his album will also buy 12 rapid HIV kits for expectant mothers in Kenya.
The cost of a pair of Yeezy boots will buy school books for Kenyan children.
The price of a Yeezus sweatshirt will feed an entire school of 200 malnourished Kenyan orphans and their 10 teachers for a month.
And so on.
Each page clicks through to a third party charity so that people may donate directly.
In his statement, Ferrer explained, “Kanye West has been making a fool of himself more than usual. As a huge fan of his work, it became hard to defend him. I woke up one morning thinking that maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should intercept the conversation for a good cause. I really don’t mean Kanye any disrespect. On the contrary, I hope he comes to his senses and keeps making amazing music.”
