Kanye West's McDonald's Obsession, Explained

For a man whose lyrics include dozens of references to brands like Gucci and Ferrari, Kanye West’s food choices are surprisingly pedestrian. Like many Americans, he loves burgers, fries, and McNuggets. So much so, in fact, that he took to Twitter today to espouse his love for the brand that popularized them: McDonald’s.

This wasn’t the first time he has declared his love for the fast food giant. Over the years, Yeezy has made it expressly clear that he has a soft spot for the golden arches.

Does he actually eat there?

Absolutely. Last year, he swung through the drive-thru in a $750,000 Lamborghini. It’s unclear what he ordered, but he was clearly excited about it. According to The Daily Mail, the famously stoic rapper was seen smiling as he took his food.

As Twitter user @Four_Pins pointed out, West has been pictured enjoying McDonald’s meals on several occasions.

If he likes it so much, why doesn’t he write a song about it?

He actually did — kind of. Earlier this month, West’s ode to the chain was published in a ‘zine accompanying Frank Ocean’s latest album, Blonde. The Verge even illustrated the poem, which is called “McDonald’s Man” and includes lines like “I don’t trust no food that smells that good man.”

A McDonald’s spokesperson responded to the poem in a statement to Time, saying the company was “lovin’ the love for McDonald’s World Famous Fries and Apple Pies. Like the beef in our burgers our love for our fans’ creativity is 100 percent.”

West also referenced the brand in “Back to Basics,” from his album Late Registration, rapping, “McDonalds with the flow, served over over a billion.”

Is Kim Kardashian lovin’ it, too?

Kim has been pretty vocal about her adherence to the Adkins diet, so she likely doesn’t visit McDonald’s with the same frequency as her husband. And if her Instagram account is any indication, she’s more of an In-N-Out fan.

Why is McDonald’s Kanye’s “favorite brand,” though?

He has yet to clarify his most recent tweet about the chain, but it likely has something to do with the fast food giant’s cultural resonance. In a speech he gave earlier this week during MTV’s Video Music Awards, West mentioned several brands he finds inspirational, including Ford, Disney, and Apple.

And though his eponymous sneakers sell for thousands of dollars on eBay, he’s expressed an interest in designing a more affordable sneaker and even an affordable furniture line. Maybe a Kanye-branded Yeezy Meal isn’t too far in the future.

What do other people think about Kanye's love for McDonald's?

Investors in the chain are likely pleased, but not everyone shares the love.

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