Elon Musk on who has inspired him: 'Kanye West, obviously' The Tesla CEO was responding to a question about who inspired him at a Q&A session at South by Southwest on Sunday. This isn't the first time that Musk has sung West's praises. The Tesla CEO also wrote blurb in 2015, lauding the Chicago rapper for his inclusion in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People list. The dude doesn't believe in false modesty, and he shouldn't. Kanye's belief in himself and his incredible tenacity — he performed his first single with his jaw wired shut — got him to where he is today. In addition to being a prolific rapper and producer, West, 40, launched his own clothing line in 2006. Musk, 46, is the founder of Tesla, SpaceX and PayPal.