Kanye West’s career has been both illustrious and harrowing. A Grammy-winning rap sensation who has sold over 100 million records and was once married to Kim Kardashian, West is also the founder of the popular clothing brand Yeezy and has made a name for himself in the world of fashion. Over the past year, West’s name has become synonymous with his anti-Semitic comments and actions, which have sparked intense scrutiny and backlash.
West’s words reached a boiling point during the Yeezy Paris Fashion Week show in October of 2022, where West appeared wearing a “White Lives Matter” shirt. From that moment on, West’s descent into a long, twisted road of obscenities and fallacies began, as he continued to spread baseless claims and reckless statements targeting the Jewish community on social media. As a result, West has become one of the most talked-about celebrities, albeit for all the wrong reasons. His actions have been widely criticized and condemned, and his behavior has raised concerns about his mental health and the impact of his platform when sharing his anti-Semitic sentiments. I mean, it’s hard to understand how artists like Kanye West can even continue to maintain their public image after such bigoted and hostile actions like this.
The controversies surrounding West serve as a stark reminder of the immense power and responsibility that come with fame, and the necessity of using that platform with care and responsibility. Celebrities cannot always rely on their fame and wealth to bail them out of difficult situations or provide a cushion for their mistakes. In such circumstances, they must be held accountable for their actions, just like anyone else. The spotlight and influence that comes with fame requires a level of mindfulness and social responsibility that celebrities cannot be ignorant of. As public figures, celebrities must recognize the impact that their words and actions have on society.
It would be easy to say that all of Kanye’s heedless actions were completely out of the blue, but that’s not the case. In fact, his actions have been quite predictable in many ways, given his outspoken nature and proclivity to vocalize his thoughts and opinions. This tendency was exemplified by his infamous 2009 outburst at the MTV Video Music Awards, during which he stormed the stage as Taylor Swift accepted the Best Female Video award. West grabbed the microphone and launched into a tirade about why he believed Beyonce was more deserving of the award. This moment not only caused all over Twitter to explode, but it also instigated the notorious feud between Kanye and music legend, Taylor Swift.
However, Kanye’s behavior has been more erratic in recent years, likely due to his struggle with bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that can cause violent mood swings and manic episodes. In 2016, he was hospitalized after a series of troubling rants during performances, and in 2018 he became increasingly active on Twitter and formed a bond with then-President Donald Trump, even going so far as to claim the MAGA hat he was given as his “superman cape.” Kanye has also taken on ambitious projects, such as the creation of the mysterious private Christian school known as Donda Academy. The school in Simi Valley, where the students strictly eat sushi, aims to “be a reflection of God’s glory in the world.” However, a former teacher has recently filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging that students are not receiving adequate education and that there is little supervision of the school’s overall efficiency.
In October of last year, Kanye West was suspended from both Instagram and Twitter due to a series of anti-Semitic comments and derogatory slurs aimed at Jewish people. One such statement read, “Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam now it’s over you’re welcome.” another one stated, “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” West then went on a tangent defending himself by claiming he can’t be anti-Semitic towards Jewish people because he is black. Ultimately, Kanye’s behavior has had far-reaching consequences, such as losses of brand partnerships with Gap and Adidas. However, the most worrisome aspect is the influence he has on younger generations, potentially normalizing harmful actions and statements. Despite his undeniable influence on modern rap, supporting his impactful music also means associating with his anti-Semitic bigotry, setting a dangerous precedent. While some argue that separating an artist’s work from their personal beliefs is possible, the damage Kanye is causing with his voice cannot be ignored. He is targeting marginalized communities and actively self-destructing his own career with every bit of his unhinged commentary.
While Kanye checks off all the boxes for being “cancel worthy” he remains untouchable in the eyes of many due to his musical legacy. Regardless of the calls for canceling Kanye West, his influence on younger generations makes it difficult for society to completely erase his presence, despite his inexcusable actions. There are many other music artists who would not be able to get away with actions like Kanye’s, nor would they even have a career if they were to say something even remotely similar. However, somehow Kanye West has managed to find a loophole and maintain his “devoted” fanbase. Many find it challenging to let go of him, including his music, due to the powerful chokehold he has had on this generation. However, allowing celebrities like Kanye to get away with harmful actions and words sets a dangerous precedent for other public figures, creating a slippery slope of uncertainty on where to draw the line and if a mere “apology” is enough. It is crucial to hold individuals accountable for their actions, especially when they do not comprehend the impact of their behavior. Therefore, we should not provide any validation or support to individuals like Kanye, even to the slightest degree, and that includes music. Now irrespective of his wealth, autonomy, brand, and status, Kanye West has demonstrated that power alone cannot excuse or justify harmful actions. No amount of rehearsed apologies can erase the damage he has caused, and it remains to be seen whether society will ever be able to truly cancel a musical icon like Kanye West. Probably not.
