Summary
*This summary was initially generated with AI but is modifiable by users
Larry Hoover Discussion
The interview began with a focus on Larry Hoover, the incarcerated former leader of Chicago's Gangster Disciples. Hoover's son, Larry Hoover Jr., joined the conversation to discuss his father's 47-year incarceration.
Kanye West has been actively advocating for Hoover's release under the First Step Act, arguing that after nearly five decades behind bars, the 71-year-old deserves a second chance.Hoover Jr. explained that his father has been in prison his entire life—he's now 47—and his own children have never been able to touch their grandfather. He credited Kanye for providing a platform to share his father's story and present a different narrative than the one commonly portrayed in media.Kanye revealed that he and
Drake were
planning a concert to bring attention to Hoover's case, showing a reconciliation between the two rappers after their public feud. He mentioned hiring the lawyer who helped get Bill Cosby released to strengthen Hoover's legal team.
Politics and Social Commentary
Kanye made several controversial political statements during the interview. He defended his
previous support for Donald Trump, claiming that Democrats "don't do shit for us" while Trump supported criminal justice reform through the First Step Act. He criticized people for blindly following Democratic politics and suggested that media and political forces manipulate Black communities.He spoke about the "13th Amendment," which he believes contains language specifically targeting Black people, calling it "modern-day slavery." Kanye stated that influential Black figures are systematically removed from communities to prevent organization and community building.Regarding his infamous
"George Bush doesn't care about Black people" moment, Kanye claimed he wasn't canceled at the time because the media also disliked Bush, implying that media bias determines who gets canceled.
Music and Industry Reflections
Kanye addressed his musical journey and industry position. He apologized to the "backpack community," admitting he posed as a backpack rapper early in his career despite actually preferring street music from artists like Cash Money and Jay-Z. This comment could potentially upset artists like Talib Kweli, Common, Dilated Peoples, and Slum Village who were part of that movement.He discussed his professional relationship with Jay-Z, describing himself as "Jay's son" and stating he would always show up if Jay called. Their relationship has been complicated, with Kanye mentioning a time when he criticized Jay-Z on stage rather than calling him privately. They've since had cordial conversations, such as at Bernard Arnault's (Louis Vuitton CEO) wedding.Regarding production accomplishments, the hosts mentioned that Kanye is one of only two artists (along with Eminem) to sell 10 million copies of an album they also produced, highlighting his dual talents.
Fashion and Design
Kanye spoke extensively about his fashion career and design philosophy. He recalled working with Italian designer Giuseppe Zanotti, claiming he designed the double zipper Giuseppe Zanotti sneaker. He mentioned his early days working with Virgil Abloh (who was his assistant before becoming a renowned designer himself) at Fendi in Rome.He described styling as his "language of love," recounting how he used to bring shoes to Kim Kardashian's house before they were dating, having her try them on to visualize his designs. He noted that he had pictured her attending the Met Gala in designer outfits years before it happened.Kanye expressed pride in his Yeezy brand's impact, saying Nike "ain't had shit since the Yeezys" and claiming he made the Gap relevant again. He boasted about turning Yeezy into a $3 billion company and improving Adidas's market value significantly.
Mental Health and Public Perception
Kanye addressed his bipolar disorder diagnosis, describing how an "anger management" session after an altercation with paparazzi led to medication and eventually a bipolar diagnosis. He expressed frustration at how his mental health is used to dismiss his opinions, repeatedly stating, "They say I'm crazy" whenever he goes against mainstream thought.He declared that he would no longer allow people to "diminish what I'm doing and what God is doing with me in the future by trying to cut my legs off or cut my influence off by calling me crazy."
Personal Life and Religion
Throughout the interview, Kanye made numerous references to his Christian faith, stating "Jesus is real" and emphasizing his commitment to God. He mentioned removing cursing from his album to make it family-friendly, noting that Christians can make competitive music without profanity.Though Kim Kardashian was referred to as his "wife" several times during the interview (they were in
divorce proceedings at the time), Kanye spoke admiringly of her law studies. He expressed concern that unsupportive people might be sabotaging her bar exam efforts, and praised her potential positive influence as a lawyer on young women.
Community Building and Future Vision
Kanye shared his vision for community building, describing plans for sustainable communities with central farms, minimal grid dependence, and environmentally friendly technology. He mentioned owning 12,000 acres across two ranches in Wyoming and plans to build communities there, though he's faced regulatory obstacles.He referenced Tesla, Dr. Sebi's dietary approach, and various sustainable technologies as inspirations. Kanye emphasized that these community-building efforts represent his desire to liberate people from "mental imprisonment" and social control.
Travis Scott and Other Artists
When discussing contemporary artists, Kanye referred to Travis Scott as his "son" in a competitive way, acknowledging Scott's success while asserting his own primacy. He expressed respect for Scott's stage design and performances but maintained his position as one of the "best performers in the world."Kanye defended Dave Chappelle against cancel culture, saying, "If they don't get the f* up out of here, bro" in response to controversy surrounding Chappelle's comedy. He positioned himself alongside figures like Chappelle and Ice Cube as free-thinking Black celebrities who refuse to be silenced.
Nike and Adidas Business
The conversation touched on Kanye's business relationship with Adidas versus his past with Nike. He claimed Adidas shouldn't restrict him from wearing Nike products, calling it "one-sided" that they can sign artists like Pharrell or
Drake while limiting his freedom. He boldly stated that he "runs" both Gap and Adidas, comparing himself to Russian President Vladimir Putin in wielding cultural influence.Kanye described culture as "oil" and "energy," declaring himself "the king of culture for the past 20 and the next 2,000 years." He suggested that companies like Gap intentionally released hoodies resembling Drake's album cover to antagonize him.
Chicago and Violence
The conversation briefly addressed Chicago violence, with Kanye and Hoover Jr. suggesting that when organized leadership was removed from Chicago communities ("cutting the head off the snake"), violence increased. They implied that figures like Larry Hoover provided structure that helped maintain peace and order in neighborhoods.
Memorable Moments
The interview included several candid personal anecdotes, including Kanye urinating on one of his Grammy Awards as a protest (making sure to select one that only had his name on it), his experiences with the music industry, and an awkward story about dating that N.O.R.E. seemed to recognize, leading to playful banter.
Conclusion
Throughout the interview, Kanye repeatedly returned to themes of freedom, truth, and breaking from societal control. He positioned himself as someone willing to speak uncomfortable truths regardless of consequences, stating: "We got a community to raise up, we got a people to save... No more of this wrecking industry shit."The Drink Champs hosts concluded by acknowledging Kanye's impact, with N.O.R.E. calling him "our Walt Disney" and recognizing the cultural significance of Yeezy product releases.This wide-ranging interview showcased Kanye's multifaceted personality—artist, designer, entrepreneur, activist, and provocateur—while providing insight into his mindset during a pivotal period of his career and personal life in late 2021.*There may be errors on this page.