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Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
John Legend expresses shock over Kanye West's ‘sad devolution', blasts ex-friend for ‘antisemitism and anti-blackness'
John Legend expressed his views regarding Kanye West, his former business partner and friend. Calling the rapper's latest moves as a 'sad devolution' from the buoyant artist he once knew, Legend expressed shock over what has happened to the formerly prolific musician in a recent interview with The Times of London. Legend opened up about the start of their personal and professional connection, saying that 'Kanye was very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams not only for himself but also for all the people around him.' 'He had so much optimism, so much creativity. It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now,' Legend continued. In 2004, West signed the Grammy-winning pianist to his company, GOOD Music, saving Legend's waning musical career. The two, however, became estranged after West expressed support for Donald Trump in 2022 and started expressing his extremist views. Legend, who was among the brand's original artists, witnessed West's ascent and decline firsthand. Also Read: Kanye West stuns fans with explosive rant against Kim Kardashian, says he 'should've had babies with…' In the interview, Legend slammed West's 'obsessions with antisemitism and anti-blackness,' adding that he feels sad to see his devolution. One of the most recent issues with West is the release of a song called Heil Hitler (Hooligan Version), which parodies an Adolf Hitler speech from 1935. West shared the song and a clip of shirtless men donning animal fur on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The song ending includes a speech from lyrics defending Hitler's conduct and requesting approval from his audience. In the song, West mentions to his custody dispute with Kim Kardashian in the song and attributes his radicalization to the incident. He raps, 'So I became a Nazi, yeah b***h, I'm the villain,' conveying his rage at his bank accounts being frozen and his kids being taken away from him. While refusing to comment on the song, Legend suggested that West's mother's passing in 2007 may have marked an important turning point in his mental and emotional decline. 'I don't think we're qualified to psychoanalyse him, but after his mother passed in 2007 there was definitely a difference. His descent started then and seems to have accelerated recently.'
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
John Legend reflects on fallout with Kanye West
Singer John Legend has publicly criticised his former collaborator Kanye West, describing the rapper's recent actions as a 'sad devolution' from the passionate and optimistic artist he once knew. The comments were made in an interview reported by The Times, where Legend reflected on the reasons behind their fallout and the disturbing direction West's career has taken. Legend, who was first signed by Kanye and toured with him during the early stages of his career, acknowledged the significant role the rapper played in his rise to fame. However, the pair grew distant after West voiced support for Donald Trump in 2022, and more recently due to West's extreme behaviour and statements. The singer said West once held big dreams not only for himself but for those around him. 'Back then Kanye was very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams… He had so much optimism, so much creativity,' Legend said. 'It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now.' Among the recent controversies surrounding West is the release of a song titled Heil Hitler (Hooligan Version), which samples a 1935 speech by Adolf Hitler. The track was posted on West's X (formerly Twitter) account and accompanied by a video featuring shirtless men wearing animal fur. The speech at the end of the song includes lines defending Hitler's actions and seeking validation from his audience. In the song, West references his custody battle with Kim Kardashian and blames his radicalisation on the experience. 'So I became a Nazi, yeah b***h, I'm the villain,' he raps, expressing anger over losing access to his children and the freezing of his bank accounts. Legend expressed concern over West's increasing focus on antisemitism and anti-Black rhetoric. 'I didn't see a hint of what we're seeing now… and it is sad to see his devolution,' he stated. While he refrained from diagnosing the cause, Legend pointed to the death of West's mother in 2007 as a possible turning point in his mental and emotional decline.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
John Legend slams former mentor Kanye West and rapper's 'sad devolution'
Singer John Legend has commented on his former friendship with Kanye West as it's revealed why the pair no longer see eye to eye due to rapper's vile comments about Hitler Singer John Legend has spoken out on Kanye West's "sad devolution" along with cutting comments about the rapper. John reminisced on his friendship with the music star as well as explaining the reasons for their fallout. He first described Kanye as "passionate" and "gifted" before going onto say what he thinks about Kanye's most recent work which includes a song which samples Adolf Hitler's speech from 1935. John's own music career first launched when he was signed by Kanye to his label. However, the duo are no longer close as Kanye started selling swastika T-shirts on his website and wore a black Ku Klux Klan hood to an interview. John said that his demise "does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now". The Times reported that John said: "Back then Kanye was very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams not only for himself but also for all the people around him. He had so much optimism, so much creativity. It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now." West first rose to fame when he produced Jay-Z's album The Blueprint in 2001 before going on to be a solo artist where John also travelled with him. Despite falling out with Kanye in 2022 when the rapper came out in support of Donald Trump, John explained that he still owes him a lot for how far he has come in his own career. "I didn't see a hint of what we're seeing now, his obsessions with antisemitism, anti-blackness, and it is sad to see his devolution," John said. Despite not knowing the reason for how Kanye is now, he thinks it could come down to the loss of his mother, explaining: "I don't think we're qualified to psychoanalyse him, but after his mother passed in 2007 there was definitely a difference. His descent started then and seems to have accelerated recently." This comes as Kanye released a vile new song on VE Day which samples Adolf Hitler's speech from 1935. The song, called Heil Hitler (Hooligan Version), was shared on the controversial rapper's X/ Twitter account and featured a video showing shirtless men wearing animal fur. The song ended with the Hitler speech, which translates to: "Whether you think my work is right, whether you believe that I have been diligent. That I have worked, that I have stood up for you during these years, that I have used my time decently in the service of my people. You cast your vote now, if yes, then stand up for me as I stood up for you." The music video began with Kanye rapping: "These people took my kids from me and they froze my bank account." Kanye was referring to the children he shares with ex-wife Kim Kardashian. He has claimed he hasn't been allowed to see his children and said he became a Nazi because of the custody battle with Kim. He rapped: "With all of my money and fame I still don't get to see my children / N****s see my Twitter but they don't see how I be feeling / So I became a Nazi, yeah b***h, I'm the villain."
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kanye West shares vile new song on VE Day sampling Nazi leader Adolf Hitler
Kanye West has released a vile new song on VE Day which samples Adolf Hitler's speech from 1935. The new song, called Heil Hitler (Hooligan Version), was shared on the controversial rapper's X/ Twitter account and featured a video showing shirtless men wearing animal fur. The song ended with the Hitler speech, which translates to: "Whether you think my work is right, whether you believe that I have been diligent. That I have worked, that I have stood up for you during these years, that I have used my time decently in the service of my people. You cast your vote now, if yes, then stand up for me as I stood up for you." The video started with the group of men standing in a dark room before Kanye rapped: "These people took my kids from me and they froze my bank account." Kanye was referring to the children he shares with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, including 11-year-old North, Chicago, seven, Saint, nine and Psalm, five. He claimed he hasn't been allowed to see his children and adde he became a Nazi because of the custody battle with Kim. He rapped: "With all of my money and fame I still don't get to see my children / N*****s see my Twitter but they don't see how I be feeling / So I became a Nazi, yeah b***h, I'm the villain." Ye proceeded to sing ''N****, heil Hitler' is repeated several times before he adds: "All my n****s Nazis, n****, heil Hitler." After posting the shocking video, Kanye appeared on a livestream with Sneako and Adin Ross where he continued to discuss his love for Hitler. Adin asked him: "Do you think that Hitler would've liked you for being Black?" and Ye insisted he would have as he explained: "I would've been one of the scientists that America ended up cleaning up and bringing in and having serve America after the fact - I'm a scientist so..." * This is a breaking showbiz news story. Join The Mirror 's WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.
