Kanye West, the multifaceted artist and entrepreneur, recently sat down with media personality Akademiks in a highly anticipated interview that has sparked significant controversy across the Hip Hop community. The conversation took place at a hotel in Los Angeles, where Kanye, known as Ye, made a striking entrance wearing a swastika chain paired with a Sean John shirt in support of Diddy. Surprisingly, he later donned a black Ku Klux Klan outfit, which he wore for the majority of the nearly hour-long interview.
During the interview, Kanye West didn't hold back, directing his criticism at numerous figures in the Hip Hop industry. He aimed sharp words at prominent artists including JAY-Z, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, and Travis Scott. His comments extended to former collaborators such as Pusha T, Playboi Carti, Ty Dolla $ign, and John Legend, as well as his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian. West's remarks have stirred up a storm, especially considering his recent history of incendiary social media posts.
In a surprising turn, Kanye West also defended Diddy and R. Kelly, both of whom have faced serious allegations of sex crimes. He expressed unexpected support for longtime rival Drake, discussing the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick, and the legal challenges Drake is up against with Universal Music Group.
Here are some of the most shocking moments from Kanye West's interview:
Kanye expressed his disappointment with JAY-Z, stating, “JAY-Z, Beyoncé, you ain’t help me when I was having problems with my kids. You could have used your influence.” He went on to question the financial dynamics of their relationship, asking, “How much money you think JAY-Z makes off my catalog versus what I make off it?”
West criticized Kendrick, suggesting that Kendrick's recent work is too derivative of his own music, claiming, “The last Kendrick album... is like a direct copy of The Life of Pablo.”
Kanye boldly declared, “No one makes music that’s nowhere as near as good as me.” He implied that his song “Moon” had ended Frank Ocean's career, stating, “He was like, ‘Sipping some wine.’ I heard it and was like, ‘Oh, this n-gga’s never gonna be able to make another album again.’”
In a deeply personal revelation, Kanye discussed his relationship with Kim, admitting, “I didn’t want to have children with this person after the first two months of being with her.” He expressed frustration over joint custody issues, questioning, “How is it joint custody? This white woman and this white family have control of these highly influential Black kids.”
Kanye drew parallels between his situations with Diddy, stating, “I really saw the comparison of me and Puff with the Diageo and the Adidas situation.” He expressed solidarity with Diddy, mentioning how public scrutiny can impact their lives and careers.
In a surprising endorsement, Kanye stated, “Drake is a million times better than Kendrick and a million times more important.” He added that he believes Drake should be writing for him, saying, “Drake needs to be my writer.”
Kanye took issue with being left off Travis Scott's album, Utopia, asserting that his contributions were replaced without any explanation.
West expressed disappointment in Pusha T for not supporting him during his struggles, stating, “N-gga, I bled for you!” He also criticized John Legend for publicly distancing himself, saying, “Look at John Legend’s old sissy ass. I ain’t never do nothing wrong to that n-gga.”
Kanye accused record executives of coercing Ty Dolla $ign to denounce him publicly, describing it as “mob shit.”
He shared a story regarding Jim Jones and a potential crypto deal, expressing frustration over Jones' lack of professionalism, particularly regarding a PDF he requested.
In a shocking self-reflection, Kanye stated, “I’m evil. I am an evil person,” highlighting the depth of his controversial persona.
Kanye West's interview with Akademiks has certainly stirred the pot, reigniting discussions on the complex relationships within the Hip Hop community. His candid and often inflammatory remarks about fellow artists, ex-wife, and industry practices provide a raw glimpse into his mind. As the conversation continues to unfold, it's clear that Kanye West remains a polarizing figure in the world of music and beyond.
