KIM Kardashian has paid well into the six-figure range for Kanye West’s pianist Philip Cornish to wake up their kids on Christmas, a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
The Grammy-winning pianist, who has been a musical director for Ye since 2019, has played festive tunes during the entire month of December at the family’s $60m mansion for years.
Philip comes to the family’s Calabasas home “every single morning” during the month of December to wake the kids up “peacefully” as he plays the keys in their living room, Kim previously revealed.
According to an insider, it was Kanye, 47, who first hired Philip to play for his four kids he shares with Kim: daughters North, 11, Chicago, 6, and sons Saint, 8, and Psalm, 5.
“Kanye and Philip have been good friends and collaborators for years. It was all Kanye’s idea to bring him into the house.
“He thought it was a peaceful, creative way to add some magic into the kids’ holiday routine and he insisted on it. Despite Kim originally not fully being on board, she felt it was unnecessary at first.
“But even since their divorce Kim has continued the tradition on her own because the kids love it so much and Kim has grown to love it too,” the source said.
Now, everyone “looks forward” to Philip coming to play every year as the musician has “basically become a member of the family.”
The feeling appears to be mutual, as the insider said Philip enjoys his gig, and the Kardashian clan is also very important to him.
“Philip would do it for free and even tells Kim that but he does get paid. Rather than per day, it’s a lump sum – which at this point is now well into the six figures.
“He will also get holiday gifts and food from the family’s chef, which is the full VIP Kardashian treatment.
“It’s a good gig for him, and he seems really satisfied with the dynamic and how he is treated. He doesn’t live too far from Calabasas, he’s deep in the outskirts of LA too so the commute isn’t bad.
“Kim has been nothing but kind to him, and he has even grown closer to the kids and teaches North some piano keys. He’s become part of the family.”
Over the past few years, Kim, 42, has shared a slew of videos highlighting Philip playing a beautiful baby grand piano at her famously all-beige monotone estate.
Philip’s music can be heard throughout the entire 15,000 square-foot house – which is filled with snowy Christmas decorations, including a hallway double-lined with pine trees.
Kim previously captioned a video of the music director playing: “It’s that time of year!!!
“@Philthekeys comes over every morning to wake my kids up by playing the piano while the mad morning rush is happening to calm their little souls and fill it with beautiful Christmas songs.”
Philip has served as music director for Kanye’s Sunday Service since 2019 and has also produced music with the rapper for years.
On an episode of the Can We Talk R&B podcast, Philip revealed that Kanye randomly called him up one day years ago at 10pm the night before and told him, “I want you to wake the family up with Christmas songs on the piano.”
The shocked musician said he responded: “I was like, ‘When?’ And he said, ‘Tomorrow.’
“I said, ‘Just tomorrow?’ And he said, ‘Every day until Christmas’. I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ He was dead serious.”
Philip admitted that when Kanye asks for something, there’s “never a lot of time” to get it done, as “everything is now, no matter what you’re doing.”
Though Philip has been praised for his talents by Kardashian fans, many have critiqued the family for their excess of wealth – especially during the season of giving back.
As of November 2023, there are 13 Kardashian-Jenner grandchildren.
Kourtney Kardashian has three kids with her ex Scott Disick: Mason, 14, Penelope, 11, and Reign, nine. In November 2023, she welcomed her first son with her husband Travis Barker: Rocky Thirteen.
Kim Kardashian has four children with her ex-husband Kanye West: North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five.
Khloe Kardashian has two children with her ex Tristan Thompson: True, six, and Tatum, two.
Rob Kardashian has one daughter with his ex Blac Chyna: Dream, seven.
Kylie Jenner has two children with her ex Travis Scott: Stormi, six, and Aire, two.
“Just think of how many people their money could help if they didn’t waste it on stupid s**t like this,” one critic raged.
“Well, isn’t that nice? Kim Kardashian pays someone to play the piano to wake her children up in the morning. What’s wrong with just saying get the hell out of bed?!” another asked.
“I guess rich people don’t use Spotify,” a third quipped.
“I’m sorry, but this is so tone-deaf and unnecessary. The kids are so spoiled rotten it’s not good for them,” a fourth raged.
Kim has shown Philip playing the piano again this month – a tradition that will seemingly not end anytime soon.
