Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson told Business Insider on Monday that rapper Kanye West is more serious than people give him credit for.
"He's a lot more serious," Carson said of West. "But he also understands the hip-hop culture and he knows how to utilize it to his advantage."
Carson, a leading Republican presidential candidate, reflected on his relationship with West during a wide-ranging interview promoting his new book, "A More Perfect Union: What We the People Can Do to Reclaim Our Constitutional Liberties."
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"I wouldn't call it a budding romance," Carson responded with a laugh. "He's a very intelligent young man. He reached out to me. We had a conversation about substantive things. I was very impressed with his knowledge of business."
The retired doctor went on to tout his own business record.
"Because, as many people don't know, I've got a very extensive business background: 18 years on the Kellogg's board, 16 years on Costco, and chairman of the board of a biotech company, as well as starting a national nonprofit. And I was very impressed with his knowledge of business principles," he continued.
Carson said he urged the hip-hop artist to create more positive music for his fans.
"I talked to him about is there a way that maybe he could use his influence — him and some of his buddies, Jay Z etc. — to create music that might be uplifting, particularly to young women," he said.
Business Insider also asked Carson what it was like speaking to West.
"I'm not sort of a star-struck person. It's just not who I am. I feel that everybody is of equal value. And that's the way my whole medical career was and my life is like that," Carson replied. "But by the same token, I don't shun people because of their notoriety or reputation either. "
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