Kanye West Reveals His Current Favorite Rapper & Intervenes to Help Him Stay Alive

Kanye West, the enigmatic rapper and producer now known simply as Ye, has once again made headlines—this time for a rare act of mentorship and compassion. In an unexpected twist, the 47-year-old artiste revealed during a recent Instagram Live session on March 8, 2025, that his current favorite rapper is rising star Dave Blunts, a 20-year-old Dallas native signed to 4Batz’s label. But Ye didn’t stop at praise; he disclosed that he’s taken significant steps to intervene in Blunts’ life, offering support to help the young artiste “stay alive” amid health struggles.

“I’ve been listening to this kid Dave Blunts, and he’s my favorite right now,” Ye said during the late-night livestream, which drew over 200,000 viewers. “He’s got this raw energy, this realness. But I saw he’s been going through it—health-wise, life-wise. I told him, ‘We need you to stay alive.’ I hooked him up with my trainer, my team. We’re gonna get him right.” The revelation caught fans off guard, sparking a wave of reactions across social media platforms like X, where “Kanye Dave Blunts” began trending within hours.

Dave Blunts, born David Johnson, has been making waves in the underground rap scene with his moody, introspective tracks like LOST IN THE SAUCE and FADE AWAY, which have racked up millions of streams on SoundCloud and Spotify since his debut in 2023. However, the rapper has been open about his battles with obesity and related health issues, often referencing his struggles in lyrics and interviews. In a December 2024 podcast with No Jumper, Blunts admitted, “I’m pushing 400 pounds, man. I know I gotta change something, but the music keeps me going.” Ye, who has faced his own public battles with mental health and weight fluctuations, appeared to connect deeply with Blunts’ vulnerability.

Sources close to Ye’s camp confirmed to Rolling Stone that the intervention began after Ye reached out to Blunts via Instagram DMs in late February 2025. The two reportedly met in person at Ye’s Los Angeles studio on March 3, where Ye introduced Blunts to his longtime personal trainer, Harley Pasternak. “Ye was genuinely worried,” the source said. “He saw Dave as this brilliant talent who could burn out too soon if he didn’t get help. He’s been calling him ‘little bro’ and checking in daily.” Pasternak, known for sculpting the physiques of stars like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, has reportedly designed a fitness and nutrition plan tailored to Blunts’ needs.

The move marks a departure from Ye’s recent controversies—ranging from his polarizing Grammy appearance with wife Bianca Censori in February 2025 to ongoing legal disputes with former employees. Instead, it highlights a softer side of the artiste, whose career has been defined by both brilliance and turbulence. Ye’s history of mentorship isn’t new—he famously boosted the careers of artistes like Big Sean and Kid Cudi through his GOOD Music label—but this personal investment in Blunts’ well-being stands out as a hands-on effort to preserve a talent he believes in.

Blunts responded to Ye’s support with gratitude in a March 9 Instagram post, sharing a photo of the two in the studio alongside the caption: “Ye changed my life fr. Told me I’m worth saving. We got work to do—music and me. #StayAlive.” The post, which included a snippet of an unreleased track featuring Ye’s signature distorted production, has already amassed over 1.2 million likes. Fans speculate that a collaboration could be in the works, potentially debuting on Ye’s long-teased solo album Bully, which he’s been hinting at since January.

Reactions on X reflect a mix of surprise and admiration. One user wrote, “Kanye picking Dave Blunts as his fave and stepping in like a big brother? That’s real. Didn’t see that coming.” Another noted, “Ye’s out here saving lives while dropping hints about new music—say what you want, he’s still a legend.” Critics, however, question whether Ye’s involvement is a publicity stunt tied to his own comeback, with one skeptic posting, “Convenient timing for Kanye to play hero when he’s got an album to push.”

Blunts’ health journey isn’t the only challenge Ye aims to address. The young rapper’s career has been overshadowed by his association with 4Batz, whose OVO Sound deal with Drake—Ye’s longtime rival—has fueled speculation of tension. Ye sidestepped any mention of Drake during the livestream, focusing solely on Blunts’ potential. “This kid’s got something special,” Ye said. “I don’t care who he’s signed to. I’m here to make sure he gets to shine.”

As of March 10, 2025, Dave Blunts has begun training with Pasternak, reportedly shedding 10 pounds in the past week alone, according to a source close to the rapper. Meanwhile, Ye’s intervention has thrust Blunts into the spotlight, with streams of his catalog surging by 300% overnight, per Spotify data.