Analysis
In this interview
Kanye West talks about Drake dissing him.
Summary
Introduction and Homecoming
Kanye West explained that his reason for visiting Chicago was to reconnect with the city, appreciate the architecture, see friends, and gain perspective. He emphasized the importance of experiencing different environments to maintain a fresh outlook. When asked if being away from Chicago had changed his opinions, West affirmed this was true, but when pressed about what he missed most about Chicago, he said he doesn't dwell on what he's missing but appreciates what he encounters in the moment.
Music and Production
When discussing the current state of music production, West acknowledged that creativity in music hasn't disappeared but has evolved. He reflected on how earlier generations criticized sampling when he was coming up, similar to how some now criticize modern production techniques. West recognized that while many artists follow trends in music—comparing it to how producers once mimicked Timbaland or Teddy Riley—this has always been part of the industry's evolution.The hosts reminisced about meeting West before
"The College Dropout" was released, when he was primarily known as a producer. They noted that West had confidently predicted his future success at that time. West attributed his achievements to his mindset, explaining that he removes words like "try" from his vocabulary and instead affirms what he wants, believing the universe will respond accordingly.
Business Ventures and Brand Development
West discussed his position as founder of a multi-billion dollar company, saying he enjoys facing new challenges daily. He mentioned recent conversations with billionaires including the founder of Lululemon and executives from American Eagle, who were advising him on potential CEO candidates for his business.Regarding his Yeezy brand, West revealed plans for basketball shoes, mentioning conversations with Adidas executive Eric Liedtke about having his design team potentially handle the entire Adidas basketball division. He suggested he would be selective about which athletes and entertainers would represent his brand.
Political Views and Controversies
A significant portion of the interview addressed West's controversial support of President Donald Trump and
his wearing of the MAGA hat. West explained that his support wasn't necessarily partisan, comparing political division to gang rivalries ("like Bloods and Crips"). He characterized wearing the MAGA hat as "a statement of bravery" and a refusal to be controlled by "monolithic thought."West emphasized that politicians are all the same regardless of party, and suggested Trump's presidency had exposed issues that existed but weren't visible during Obama's administration. He claimed to have "a direct line to the president" that he planned to use to benefit Chicago.When directly asked if Trump cares about Black people (referencing his
famous statement about George Bush during Hurricane Katrina), West said Trump "cares about the way Black people feel about him" and "would like for Black people to like him like they did when he was cool in rap songs." He added that Trump "wants to be the greatest president and knows that he can't be the greatest president without the acceptance of the Black community."
Addressing the Slavery Comments
West addressed his
controversial TMZ interview where he had said "400 years of slavery sounds like a choice." He clarified that he meant from his perspective as someone not versed in history, the idea of powerful people being held captive for so long seemed inconceivable. He added that his spirit aligned with historical figures like Harriet Tubman and Nat Turner who resisted enslavement.In a significant moment, West formally apologized: "I want to take this moment right now to say that I'm sorry for hurting, I'm sorry for the one-two effect of the MAGA hat into the slave comment, and I'm sorry for people who felt let down by that moment."
Mental Health Discussion
West openly discussed his mental health, revealing he had been
diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He described having "the luxury version of mental health" issues compared to others who struggle more severely. West suggested that everyone has "undiagnosed mental health issues" from various societal pressures and emphasized that mental illness carries a stigma that leads people to be "instantly written off."He connected his mental health to some of his controversial statements, explaining that when someone who is bipolar is "ramped up," they might express their truth in ways that make others uncomfortable. West noted that his TMZ appearance gave people insight into what it looks like when someone is experiencing such a moment.
Personal Relationships
West addressed perceptions that he had lost touch with his roots. He spoke about feeling distant from early supporters and friends, particularly singling out fashion designer Don C, saying "the downfall of Kanye West is directly related to Don C not being around." He expressed that he was missing the support system of people who were with him from the beginning of his career and who looked out for his best interests.When asked about perceptions that he had been "lost to the Kardashian family," West described his wife's family as "an extended piece of my family and our family." He credited his wife's family support system as the reason "she don't end up in UCLA" (referring to psychiatric hospitalization), saying "she has a family with her at all times in every situation."
Controversy with Drake and Pusha T
West discussed tensions with
Drake, expressing disappointment that Drake hadn't been supportive during his difficult time after the TMZ interview. He referred to Drake sending "purple demon emojis" that made him concerned about his family's safety. West distanced himself from
Pusha T's
diss track against Drake, claiming he wasn't involved and didn't provide information for it.West emphasized that he wasn't interested in rap rivalries, saying "I don't play like that" and "I ain't no gangster." He suggested that such conflicts were distractions from more important matters and that human beings should be helping each other rather than engaging in feuds.
Future Plans for Chicago
Throughout the interview, West alluded to plans to give back to Chicago. He mentioned directing his Adidas marketing fund entirely to Chicago and working with various architects and innovators from organizations like IDEO and MIT to address problems in the city. While not providing specific details, he promised listeners they would "see a new Ye" and "feel the impact of the new relationships and the new ideas and the exposure" that he planned to apply to benefit Chicago.
Closing Thoughts
The interview concluded with West expressing gratitude to Chicago for supporting him through difficult times and asking the city to "have my back." He promised that the audience would see "a new Ye" and feel the impact of his new relationships and ideas. The hosts expressed hope that West would maintain his connection to Chicago beyond just implementing programs, suggesting that his presence itself was valuable to the community.*There may be errors on this page.