Coodie and Chike reportedly got a nice payday for the Kanye West documentary.

And it took them more than 20 years to get it.

According to the New York Daily News, Coodie and Chike reportedly received $30 million for the “jeen-yuhs” documentary, a hit doc that is currently streaming on Netflix about Kanye West. Billboard also reports that it took the filmmaking pair more than 20 years to finish the doc thanks to the filmmakers’ surgical precision in documenting nearly every aspect of the “808s and Heartbreak” rapper’s life. 

And while a source familiar with the production told Entertainment Tonight that the acquisition figure is inaccurate, what’s clear is that “jeen-yuhs” details aspects of West’s life that were previously unavailable to his fanbase and the general public.

Coodie and Chike used home videos, never-before-seen footage, and other exclusive content to chronicle West’s rise. From the car accident that caused him to get a whole new mouth to the passing of his beloved mother Dr. Donda West, West’s life has been documented in a way that has never been seen before — or since.

And whether the $30 million acquisition figure is accurate or not, the pair certainly are overdue to receive their flowers.

Who are Coodie and Chike?

Considered a powerhouse duo in the film world, Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah are longtime collaborators who founded Creative Control entertainment. Under that umbrella, they began directing music videos for Kanye West, and they made the biggest splash with the video for “Through the Wire.”

The video received “buzz” because it was recorded and released before the Chaka Khan sample (for her hit song “Through the Fire”) was cleared. Ultimately, the video would go on to win the 2004 Source Award for Best Music Video.

Coodie and Chike have also done music videos for artists like Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Wale, and more.

Other Films They've Done

Coodie and Chike aren’t just known for their work with Kanye West. In 2019, HipHopDX reported that “A Kid From Coney Island” — a 2019 film about former NBA superstar Stephon Marbury and produced by Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi (sister-in-law of rocker Jon Bon Jovi) — premiered to rave reviews at the Tribeca Film Festival.

According to Billboard, other notable documentaries they’ve produced include the 2018 Aretha Franklin doc, “Amazing Grace,” and “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” which was released shortly before the civil rights activists’ passing in 2020.

They also directed “Benji,” a 30-for-30 film for ESPN, and “Good Morning,” for American Family Insurance.