Kanye West has teamed with Hollywood Unlocked CEO and founder Jason Lee once again, but this time it’s not for another interview.
Variety reports that Ye has named Lee, who shared an extensive interview with the rapper in January, as part of his growing creative and management team. Lee will take the title of head of media and partnerships, and he officially announced his new endeavor on Friday.
“I think after the interview on Hollywood Unlocked, it was clear that we had an aligned vision for leveling the playing field in media,” Lee said. “Ye voiced a vision for a company he was building, and that media was an arm of that, and he felt I could be an asset. … Ye is a genius — in tech with Stem Player, in product and fashion with Yeezy, Gap and Balenciaga, with Donda Academy and Donda Sports, and in all things culture. My goal is to amplify those stories and inspire the next generation with all that amazing work.”
In a post on Instagram, Lee thanked Kanye for the opportunity. “Those paying attention to the journey get it,” he wrote.
Lee has previously worked with Kanye behind the scenes, too, consulting with the rapper in the lead-up to his Donda 2 album launch via his Stem Player device. He also helped introduce Ye to the PR firm DKC, who now represent him. “I won’t publicly discuss his media strategy because that would be me controlling his narrative," Lee added. "I’m helping him to understand the media landscape and high-level brand strategy. There is a roadmap being developed that I think will shift his relationship with the press.”
Last month, Lee was the subject of controversy when he reported via Hollywood Unlocked that Queen Elizabeth died. He stood behind the report for a while, before later apologizing. “Although I’ve never been wrong when breaking a story because this involves The Queen this is one time I would want to be,” read the Hollywood Unlocked statement. “And based on Wednesday’s report from the Palace, I can say my sources got this wrong and I sincerely apologize to The Queen and the Royal Family."
