Analysis
During this interview he
talked about George Floyd's death among other topics.
Summary
*This summary was initially generated with AI but is modifiable by usersThis lengthy interview features
Kanye West (who now goes by Ye) speaking with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN on their Drink Champs podcast following controversial tweets Ye made about Jewish people. Throughout the 3-hour conversation, which includes drinking Dussé cognac, Ye expresses his unfiltered thoughts on numerous topics, from business and music to politics and personal relationships.
Business Relationships and Controversies
Ye discusses his business relationships, particularly with Adidas, explaining that his initial partnership was like an "internship" to understand the industry better. He expresses frustration that Adidas allegedly copied his designs and limited his creative control. Ye claims to represent 68% of Adidas' online sales through the Yeezy brand, of which he owns 95% (with Kim Kardashian owning 5%).He describes an uncomfortable meeting with Adidas executives where he played adult content to make them feel how he felt when they took creative control of his designs. According to Ye, he asked, "Does this make you feel uncomfortable? Do you think this makes me feel how I feel when you name my Yeezys from me?"Ye also talks about his departure from Gap, saying they refused to open a store in Atlanta despite the city's fashion influence. He mentions collaborating with Dove Charney of Los Angeles Apparel after leaving Gap, claiming Charney refused to produce his "White Lives Matter" shirts after Ye's
controversial tweets because Charney is Jewish.
Views on Jewish Influence
A significant portion of the interview centers on Ye's thoughts about Jewish people in the entertainment industry. He claims Jewish people have "owned the black voice" through record labels, management companies, and media platforms. He acknowledges admiring how the Jewish community has built wealth and unity but expresses that he feels Black artists have been exploited by Jewish executives.Ye states, "I'm jealous of the Jewish community," explaining he admires how "they don't abort their people," "stay with their wives," "do business together," and "read their contracts." He frames his controversial comments as coming from a place of jealousy rather than hatred.He references interactions with music industry figures like Scooter Braun and Irving Azoff, speaking positively about some while criticizing business practices he perceives as exploitative. Ye repeatedly insists he cannot be antisemitic because, in his view, Black people are "the real Jews."
Personal Life and Kim Kardashian
Ye speaks about his relationship with Kim Kardashian and their children, expressing frustration about access to his children post-divorce. He claims the Kardashians "kidnapped" his daughter Chicago for her birthday party by not providing him with the address. He criticizes Corey Gamble, Kris Jenner's boyfriend, calling him "a plant" who is "there for the agenda."Regarding Pete Davidson's relationship with Kim after
their separation, Ye expresses anger about Davidson's public comments about their children. He mentions how Ray J gave him information about Kim Kardashian's infamous tape, suggesting there's more to the story than the public knows.Ye states he would like to reconcile with Kim but "on God's terms, not on Hollywood's terms," emphasizing his desire for their family to be reunited.
Music and Artists
Throughout the interview, Ye discusses various artists and his relationships with them. He calls
Drake "the greatest rapper ever" and mentions
their reconciliation after J Prince helped them squash their beef. He describes Future as highly influential and mentions Bad Bunny as someone whose success he respects.During a segment called "Quick Time with Slime," Ye is asked to choose between pairs of artists. He struggles to choose between KRS-One and Rakim, Chance the Rapper and Lupe Fiasco (calling them both "Jewish business leader level minds"), and other pairings, often taking shots of liquor instead of making choices.Ye mentions his respect for Virgil Abloh, noting they had become rivals toward the end of Abloh's life but still considered him a brother. He disputes claims by Tremaine Emory (whom he refers to as "Tremendous") that he wasn't invited to Virgil's funeral.
Politics and 2024 Presidential Ambitions
Ye strongly hints at a 2024 presidential run throughout the interview. When asked directly about running for president, he says, "I can't say," but adds with a smile that "everyone's gonna be very happy." He criticizes the Biden administration and mentions that he
supported Trump in the past because "no one was afraid of North Korea" during his presidency.Regarding his controversial
"White Lives Matter" t-shirt, Ye offers multiple explanations: as a joke on conservative commentator Candace Owens, as a way to highlight that his children's mother (Kim) is white, and as a provocative statement against liberal groupthink. He claims the shirt led to the cancellation of four shows at SoFi Stadium.When asked how he would handle the Ukraine situation as president, Ye suggests the conflict is "based off of Biden and his son's account" and "a few really greedy people that want to run the world."
Media Criticism
Ye repeatedly criticizes what he calls the "Jewish media" for how they've portrayed him. He claims they labeled him "crazy" and an "abuser," referencing Trevor Noah's comments about his behavior toward Kim Kardashian. He mentions being removed from Instagram and mentions 78 media outlets that he believes unfairly characterized him.He expresses frustration that the Grammys removed his performance after he used a racial slur in reference to Trevor Noah, arguing he was "slated to win album of the year" for
Donda. Ye blames "Jewish media" for blocking his interviews from being released, suggesting his Drink Champs appearance is one of the few platforms willing to host him.
Cultural Identity and Religion
Ye frequently references his Christian faith, stating "I'm Jesus gang" and describing himself as an "arrogant Christian." He claims that R&B music was "the first step of taking God out of the people" because it shifted away from gospel.Throughout the interview, Ye references Black identity, stating "we are Jew also" and "we're from Africa." He mentions the "12 lost tribes of Israel" and claims Black people are "the blood of Christ." He expresses admiration for Minister Louis Farrakhan and references a message Farrakhan sent to him and Puff Daddy (Diddy) about race relations.
Personal Anecdotes and Tangents
The interview includes numerous tangents and personal stories. Ye claims he could see NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes deliberately losing to Tom Brady in a Super Bowl, comparing it to scenes from Pulp Fiction. He mentions his past as a "freestyle biker" who could "stand up on top of a bike."He recalls playing his "favorite porn star" video during business meetings and creating the Yeezy 350 sneaker with a feature he called the "get fucked toe" to emphasize sexuality in marketing.Ye also shares a story about being $53 million in debt in 2015 and asking
Mark Zuckerberg for help, noting that "nobody would really help" because "they just want to capitalize."
Interaction with Hosts
Throughout the interview, N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN attempt to challenge some of Ye's statements while maintaining a friendly atmosphere. Near the end, N.O.R.E. directly addresses Ye's "White Lives Matter" shirt, saying: "We want you to understand that when a 'White Lives Matter' shirt was worn, it wasn't the time."Ye responds defensively at points, telling N.O.R.E., "Y'all don't want me to wear that shirt? If these women never kidnapped my kid in broad daylight, I need the entire culture to stand up and be like, 'We're not going for that.'"The hosts repeatedly emphasize that Drink Champs is Ye's rightful platform, with N.O.R.E. stating, "Sometimes they try to solidify you and take you out of the culture, but I want you to know when you come see Drink Champs, you will always be the culture."
Drinking and Interview Style
The interview features frequent drinking of Dussé cognac, which Ye promotes heavily throughout. At one point, Ye declares that liquor stores should "remove the Hennessy and put the Dussé in it," suggesting Black people should drink Dussé instead of Hennessy when they "want to go full uncle that don't give a fuck level at the wedding."As the interview progresses, Ye becomes increasingly animated and emotional, at one point saying, "Any nigga got something to say, kill me in seven days or shut the fuck up." The hosts occasionally struggle to keep the conversation on track as Ye moves rapidly between topics.
Final Thoughts
By the interview's conclusion, Ye frames his controversial statements as a necessary step toward collective liberation. He compares himself to Moses and Quincy Jones, suggesting he's been called by God to "bring everybody together" across political, racial, and religious divides.He ends with a reflection on his legacy: "We are under house arrest as a people... so that's the reason why I fight for the house because even in fighting for the house we understand what we need as a people to rise to the level of what the Jewish people were able to do."Throughout the lengthy, meandering conversation, Ye maintains that his primary motivation is securing freedom and prosperity for the Black community, even as his methods and statements have proven deeply controversial. The interview provides insight into his unfiltered thinking during a tumultuous period in his public life, revealing both his creative brilliance and the controversial nature of his perspectives on race, religion, business, and culture.*There may be errors on this page.