Kanye West’s questionable acts have caused a stir in social and political circles for quite some time now. The Grammy winner’s reputation has also suffered a blow for being involved in a near-constant clash with fellow artists, offensive remarks on sensitive issues, and his generally dubious behavior in public (re: the MTV VMA incident of 2009).
In his career, however, Ye – formerly known as Kanye West – has caused just as much impact with his songs and lyrics, and if art could be separated from the artist, would stand as some of the most prized works of the music industry.
Of the numerous eccentricities that West has displayed over the years, his feud with the R&B singer-songwriter Chris Brown remains one of the most troubling.
Kanye West’s Comments on Slavery Cause a Riot
To be in the eye of a storm is nothing new for Kanye West. But it is his brash disregard for mass sentiment and inability to understand social cues that have landed him in hot water more than once. In one of the more recent controversies, Ye came under massive attack from all fronts for his comments on slavery.
In a highly contentious interview with Harvey Levin for TMZ in May 2018, Kanye West spoke about his admiration for Donald Trump, his views on free speech and thought, and shared his opinion on slavery, among other things:
When you hear about slavery for 400 years. For 400 years?! That sounds like a choice. Like, you was there for 400 years and it’s all of y’all?! It’s like we’re mentally in prison.
The remarks caused an immediate backlash within the TMZ newsroom where he was schooled by journalist Van Lathan on the repercussions and consequences of misusing his so-called right to free speech and free thought.
I think what you’re doing right now is actually the absence of thought. And while you are making music and being an artist and living the life that you’ve earned by being a genius, the rest of us in society have to deal with these threats to our lives. We have to deal with the marginalization that has come from the 400 years of slavery that you said for our people was a choice.
Ye subsequently walked up and apologized to the TMZ journalist, but it was the first domino to fall in a long line of upset citizens who all lashed out at Ye for his objectionable take on slavery.
Kanye West & Chris Brown – Friends to Enemies
For the Donda singer, musical greatness may come naturally but social skills and cultural appropriation are issues he needs to brush up on. For a long time, Ye’s outspoken behavior and disparaging public commentary have done more harm than good for the singer’s reputation while simultaneously tarnishing those who associate with him.
West’s morally questionable beliefs and ideologies range from politics – endorsing Donald Trump and Elon Musk despite their recent controversies – to socially sensitive issues such as his comments about Hitler and slavery. It is his deplorable remarks on the latter that caused an irreparable rift in his relationship with the King of R&B, Chris Brown.
Starting off on a great footing as friends, Ye went so far as to gift Brown a $120,000 truck in November 2020 and send him a handwritten congratulatory note commending him on all his hard work and success. Years before, in 2007, Brown offered a gesture of respect toward the veteran rapper by changing his album’s name since it clashed with Ye’s Graduation.
After Ye’s comments on slavery, however, the rising public animosity toward the rapper reached an epic high, impacting millions along the way, including Chris Brown who wrote on Instagram, “This man is a clown. Wake the hell up Kanye… Please. Slavery was a choice???????? Whattttttt??????” Suffice it to say, the pair won’t be exchanging notes any time soon.
