Change of Heart? Kanye West Files NFT and Metaverse Trademark Applications

Several months after publicly criticizing non-fungible tokens, the American rapper Kanye West seems like softening his stance on the matter. According to 17 new trademark applications around his YEEZUS nickname, he could soon launch his own NFT collection.

Kanye West’s U-Turn on NFTs

One of the most influential US musicians – Kanye West – used to be firmly against non-fungible tokens. Earlier this year, he said he is committed to building products for the “real world,” urging fans to stop asking him “to do NFTs.” It is worth noting, though, that he finished his statement with the phrase “Ask me later,” hinting that he had not entirely shut the door to digital collectibles.

Newly-filed trademark applications indicated that West sought the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) approval to launch “blockchain-based non-fungible assets,” “currencies and tokens,” and “online retail store services featuring … digital art.” Trademark attorney and Founder of Gerben Perrott – Josh Gerben – confirmed the news on his Twitter account.

Kanye West has filed 17 new trademark applications around his YEEZUS name.

The filings indicate an intent to launch YEEZUS-branded amusement parks, NFT’s, toys and more. 👇#KanyeWest pic.twitter.com/bI7RkA1Pk3

— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) June 1, 2022

The filings reveal only a basic description of the upcoming products that West plans to introduce. It remains unclear what types of NFTs and Metaverse experiences the rapper could launch.

Music and NFTs

Numerous prominent musicians have already dived into the NFT space. Last summer, the 15-time Grammy award winner – Eminem – partnered with Nifty Gateway to drop a collection called Shady Con.

It included “original instrumental beats produced by Slim Shady himself specifically for this release.” Additionally, the collection granted the rapper’s fans – known as Stans – the chance to “own a piece from this premier drop.”

For his part, Golden Globe-winner John Legend established an NFT platform for musicians and entertainers named “OurSong.” The singer, who serves as a Chief Impact Officer of the project, hoped it would be beneficial for artists who are about to make their first steps in the industry:

“It can be really intimidating for an emerging creative who wants to share their art, their work with the world, share their creativity with the world, but they feel like they can’t possibly do something that’s going to be worth that much money. Some of them are building that up to a place where they’re even making a living off of their art as students.”

The hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg is also part of that club. Two months ago, he teamed up with Clay Nation to launch an NFT collection on the Cardano blockchain.

Last but not least, pop star Madonna collaborated with the digital artist Beeple to release the NFT collection “Mother of Creation.” The project included three single-edition NFTs, which feature videos of the singer giving birth to various natural objects such as a tree and butterflies.

Featured Image Courtesy of BBC