Celebrities IQ

What Is Kanye West's IQ?

By Samantha Davis, Psychology Writer
Published on July 03, 2024 | Updated on August 22, 2024

Image by David Shankbone, used under CC0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Kanye West's IQ Stands at 133

Kanye West is more than just a famous name; he’s a man of many talents with an IQ of 133. Despite his wild and often controversial public persona, he’s proved to be a smart cookie time and again. Just ask animator Bill Plympton, who worked with West on the "Heard 'Em Say" music video. Plympton was impressed by West's creativity and vision, even calling him a potential theater director. And who can forget when Kanye asked Plympton to make him look more handsome in the video? Classic Kanye.

Not only did Kanye surprise everyone by jumping on stage at an NBA playoff game to perform "All Day", but he also got an honorary doctorate degree from the Art Institute of Chicago. And let’s not forget his dabble in politics – he’s met with former President Trump to discuss issues like prison reform and gang violence in Chicago. Trump even called Kanye a “smart guy.”

Kanye’s financial rollercoaster and backlash have made the headlines numerous times. Back in 2016, he declared himself $53 million in debt and boldly asked Mark Zuckerberg for $1 billion to fund his ideas. He later bounced back to a net worth of $400 million, but his partnership with Adidas for the Yeezy line ended badly after some controversial statements. It hit Adidas hard, pushing them into a rare annual loss.

Through all the ups and downs, Kanye West’s genius and unpredictability keep us all watching. Whether he's making music, designing clothes, or stirring up social media, one thing's for sure: life is never boring with Kanye around.

Kanye West's IQ

133

How Did We Determine Kanye West's IQ?

Average Confidence Level

High

We relied on findings by Yahoo, AOL and Daily Mail to estimate Kanye West's IQ. We left one additional source for reference.

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Yahoo

133 IQ

AOL

133 IQ

Daily Mail

133 IQ

Consequence

133 IQ

Consequence

None IQ

5 Reasons Why Kanye West Is Considered Highly Intelligent

IQ of 133: Kanye West has an officially reported IQ of 133. According to standardized tests, he is in the upper echelons of intelligence.
Successful Music Career: West has won 22 Grammy Awards from 75 nominations. This status makes him one of the most awarded artists of all time. He is also incredibly dedicated. While being hospitalized during a severe car accident in 2002, he continued to use electronic drums and other equipment to produce music.
Innovative Fashion Line: His Yeezy fashion line has achieved critical and commercial success, reinventing modern streetwear with innovative designs.
Business Ventures: West's venture into the sneaker market with Adidas revolutionized sneaker culture. It also showcased his strategic thinking in brand collaboration.
Educational Achievements: Despite dropping out of college to pursue music, West's intellectual capacity is evident through his achievements and honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Image by SOCIALisBETTER, used under CC BY 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

How Does Kanye West's IQ Compare to Other People?

Kanye West's IQ of 133 places him in the top 1% of the population. This score exceeds the entry threshold of Mensa International, a high-IQ society which requires your IQ to be in the 98th percentile (top 2%). In fact, Kanye famously claimed he got his 133 IQ score at the Mensa IQ test. Though it falls short of Intertel's 135 IQ mark, the significance remains immense.

Image by David Shankbone, used under CC0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Ranking Kanye West's IQ Among Musicians

Kanye West's IQ of 133 is considered a high IQ score. Let's see who else has a high IQ in the music industry.

Brian May, guitarist of Queen, has an IQ of 170. In addition to his musical talents, May is also an accomplished astrophysicist. His high IQ allows him to excel in multiple fields.

Cardi B, known for her bold personality and chart-topping hits, reportedly has a surprising IQ of 95. Cardi B's intelligence, though measured differently, shines through in her strategic career moves and ability to dominate the hip-hop scene. She continues to break boundaries and redefine what it means to be a successful artist.

Next, we have Lady Gaga's 166 IQ. She combines theatrical performance with high intelligence. Lady Gaga's innovative approach has made her a pop culture icon.

Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop," was also sharp-witted. He had an estimated IQ of 159. His groundbreaking music and dance moves continue to influence artists worldwide. Jackson's intelligence contributed significantly to his creative genius.

Finally, Marilyn Manson, with an IQ of 155, proves that one should never judge a book by its cover. Manson's unique style and high IQ challenge conventional norms. His work remains impactful and provocative.

Illustration composed of multiple sources: images by Daniele Dalledonne under CC BY-SA 2.0, kentarotakizawa under CC BY 2.0, Katie Krause under CC BY 3.0, John Bauld under CC BY 2.0, Alan Light under CC BY 2.0, Sven Mandel under CC BY-SA 4.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Did you expect Kanye West's IQ to be lower or higher than 133? Let us know in the comments section below!

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