Kanye West Spends Thousands of Dollars on Pokémon Cards, Collection Trend Heats Up

Kanye West has once again drawn public attention, not for his music but for a major shopping spree. The controversial rapper reportedly spent a staggering amount of money on Pokémon cards while taking his children shopping at the LA Sports Cards collectibles store in Burbank, California, on Wednesday (30/9).

According to a source cited by Page Six, West closed the store for a private session so he and his children—North (13), Saint (10), Chicago (8), and Psalm (7)—could browse freely. “He spent thousands of dollars on Pokémon cards and his kids were so excited to open the packs,” the source said. The store also posted a photo of West with staff, captioned, “Always happy to welcome @ye. Thanks for stopping by!”

This is not the first time the West family has been seen hunting for collectible cards. Last May, West and Psalm were photographed leaving the same store with a large black-and-white box. Even Kim Kardashian, West's ex-wife, was seen at the store in February, suggesting that card collecting has become part of their family culture.

On another front, West's eldest daughter, North, is building her music career. She recently expressed a desire to work part-time at Starbucks while continuing in entertainment. “I still want to work. I want to work at Starbucks next year. I think I can, because I'll be 14,” she told Dazed. North stressed that music is her hobby and she does not want to delay that career. “I don't like taking a lot of breaks. I like finishing things. So maybe going to practice, then to the studio; that's a perfect day,” she added.

The phenomenon of celebrities like West buying collectible cards is not merely a lifestyle choice. The global Pokémon card market has seen a surge in value in recent years, with some rare cards selling for millions of dollars. In Indonesia, a similar trend is emerging, especially among millennials and Gen Z who treat cards as an alternative investment instrument. Card collector communities in major cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung are increasingly active in holding fairs and auctions.

Even so, this market is also prone to speculation. The price of certain cards can spike dramatically on momentary demand, then plummet when the hype fades. For beginner collectors, it is important to understand a card's intrinsic value and rarity, not just follow celebrity trends. The presence of public figures like West can accelerate popularity, but it also risks creating a price bubble.

Looking ahead, will West's shopping spree encourage more parents to give collectible cards as gifts to their children? Or is this just a fleeting euphoria that will fade as new trends emerge? What is clear is that the collectibles market is no longer just a children's hobby, but a serious economic arena.