Kanye West, who runs a private school, says he's never read a book because 'reading is like eating Brussels sprouts'

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Kanye West, who runs a private school, says he's never read a book because 'reading is like eating Brussels sprouts'
Kanye West.Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
  • Kanye West says he has never read a book.
  • West said on a podcast that he preferred a "good conversation" instead.
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Rapper Kanye West said he's never read a book and prefers talking instead.

On Friday's episode of Alo Yoga's "Alo Mind Full" podcast, West told Alo cofounder Danny Harris he's a bigger fan of a "good conversation."

"I actually haven't read any book," West said.

"Reading is like eating Brussels sprouts for me," West added. "And talking is like getting the Giorgio Baldi corn ravioli."

West was referring to a famous pasta dish served at a restaurant in Santa Monica, Giorgi Baldi, that he and his former partner Kim Kardashian once went to.

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During the podcast, West said he only reads the first and last sentences of long text messages. He also expressed frustration over the expectation that he needs to speak proper English to be respected.

"It's the Tower of Babylon. English, y'know. The idea of having to speak correct English, like, you're not going to respect what I'm saying, even though you know what I'm saying, unless I'm speaking correct English," West said.

He compared having his speaking corrected to being pulled over and having to do an "alcohol test."

West also talked about Donda Academy, the private school that he founded and named after his late mother. According to its website, the school provides schooling to students from pre-K to twelfth grade, and teaches language arts, math, and science, along with enrichment courses like "world language, visual art, film, choir, and parkour."

In the podcast interview, West said "standard curriculums" need to be balanced with other forms of learning.

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"We have to balance things with curriculums that allow for self-confidence," West said. "Because so many of the schools and modern indoctrinations take away from the confidence that these future leaders would have in themselves."

His comments about reading and his school's curriculum came a day after Rolling Stone released a report about Donda Academy. The outlet spoke to two sources, who said it's unclear who teaches at the school and who is sending their kids there. Families are asked to sign nondisclosure agreements, the outlet found.

Representatives for West and the Donda Academy did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

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