Kanye West news - latest: Rapper allegedly wanted to name 2018 Ye album ‘Hitler’
The rapper was let back into his Instagram account weeks after being locked out for posting antisemitic messages
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Speculation is mounting over whether Kanye West will be welcomed back onto Twitter after Elon Musk - a self-declared “free speech absolutist” - successfully took over the social media platform.
Earlier in the week, a former executive who used to work with West alleged that he had an open “obsession” with Adolf Hitler and used to reminisce about the “great things” he and the Nazi Party did for Germany, CNN reported.
The executive, who spoke with CNN on condition of anonymity, and other sources told the outlet how West, who legally changed his name to Ye, once floated the idea of naming an album after Hitler.
“He would praise Hitler by saying how incredible it was that he was able to accumulate so much power and would talk about all the great things he and the Nazi Party achieved for the German people,” the individual alleged.
Earlier this week, Ye returned to his reinstated Instagram account after being locked out for sharing antisemitic remarks.
The rapper posted a string of messages name-dropping Endeavor CEO Ari Emmanuel and 50 Cent, among others.
Spotify CEO reacts to rumours Ye’s music could be removed from streaming platform
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has revealed the condition under which Kanye West’s music will be removed from the platform as an exodus of other high-profile brands have removed their association with the controversial rapper.
While Mr Ek acknowledged that the rapper’s antisemitic remarks were indeed “awful”, he also confirmed that the streaming giant would only remove songs by the artist if his label permits it.
“It’s really just his music, and his music doesn’t violate our policy,” Mr Ek told Reuters, adding: “It’s up to his label, if they want to take action or not.”
Jacob Stolworthy has more here.
Spotify CEO explains why Kanye West’s music will not be removed from Spotify
Daniel Ek suggested the matter is out of his hands
Former executive claims Kanye West had Hitler ‘obsession’ and admired Nazis, report says
“He would praise Hitler by saying how incredible it was that he was able to accumulate so much power,” a former executive told CNN.
Former executive claims Kanye West had a known Hitler ‘obsession’, CNN reports
‘He would praise Hitler by saying how incredible it was that he was able to accumulate so much power,’ former executive tells CNN
Kanye West escorted from Skechers HQ after ‘unannounced’ visit
ICYMI: Skechers has revealed that Kanye West arrived at its company headquarters “unannounced” only one day after Adidas severed its partnership with the rapper.
“Ye arrived unannounced and without invitation at one of Skechers’ corporate offices in Los Angeles,” Skechers said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Considering Ye was engaged in unauthorized filming, two Skechers executives escorted him and his party from the building after a brief conversation.
Skechers is not considering and has no intention of working with West.”
Amber Raiken has the details:
Skechers says Kanye West escorted from its HQ after unannounced visit
‘Skechers is not considering and has no intention of working with West,’ the company said in a statement
The brands that will no longer work with Kanye West
ICYMI: Kanye West is facing intense backlash over his recent antisemitic comments.
From Adidas to The RealReal, these are the companies that have cut ties with Kanye West following his remarks.
The brands that have cut ties with Kanye West amid antisemitism backlash
West lost his billionaire status overnight after Adidas ended its Yeezy partnership
Instagram lets Kanye West back into account
ICYMI: Kanye West took to Instagram late Wednesday night, a move that he’d been unable to do for weeks since the social media platform locked him out of his account earlier this month for posting antisemitic remarks that broke with the company’s terms of service.
In the Instagram story and the accompanying post, West seemed to address the recent fallout with Adidas and Gap, two of the larger commercial partners who have terminated their business relationship with the rapper in recent weeks.
In one of the posts, West shared a purported screenshot of a text conversation with “Quinn Emmanuel,” referring likely to the rapper’s attorneys from Quinn Emanuel and Stradley Ronon who have previously worked for West on his partnership with Gap.
Attorneys from Quinn Emanuel, including chairman John Quinn, have represented Ye in past litigation, according to Bloomberg.
“As to adidas, you can start to make new designs for footwear, apparel and accessories immediately,” the text read. “As to Gap, the non-compete expires December, 15 2022.”
The text exchange also mentioned Yeezy empire, the supposed attorney in contact with Ye in the text exchange seeming to confirm that he maintains ownership over the brand.
“You own the Yeezy name and all trademarks associated with Yeezy,” the text concluded.
Kanye West’s $2bn net worth doesn’t exist without Adidas. Is it finally over for him?
ICYMI: In recent days, a flood of companies have severed ties with Kanye West amid a whirlwind of controversy engulfing the 45-year-old rapper and fashion designer.
West stoked the backlash when he wore a White Lives Matter shirt to his Yeezy Season 9 show at Paris Fashion Week in early October.
Then on social media, West threatened to go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” before doubling down in a succession of antisemitic statements.
On Tuesday morning, Adidas became the latest company to join the exodus when it announced the end of its partnership with West. It marked what’s widely viewed as the largest financial blow to the rapper, who just days ago declared that the brand “can’t drop me”.
Forbes had estimated West’s net worth at $2bn with most of that wealth tied up in Yeezy, for which he earns an estimated $220m annually as part of his production deal with Adidas.
Prior to Tuesday’s announcement Forbes said that West’s net worth would fall below $1bn should the Adidas contract be torn up, but have now drastically reduced that figure to just $400m.
Here, The Independent’s Bevan Hurley breaks down what all these commercial partnership terminations and social media lockouts mean for the US rapper going forward.
Kanye West’s antisemitism cost him an eye-watering amount. Is it finally over for Ye?
What did Kanye West say?
Kanye West, Batman, and Stranger Things characters are top Halloween costumes
ICYMI: The most-wanted Halloween costumes for Britons in 2022 include Kanye West, Batman and Stranger Things characters, according to a poll.
The research was commissioned by wine brand 19 Crimes.
Alice Hughes reports:
Batman, Stranger Things and Kanye West among favourite Halloween costume ideas
Despite pop culture clearly being favoured this Halloween, a classic witch came in first place in top 50 list
What Kanye West did: Explained
ICYMI: Kanye West is experiencing a backlash after making a series of antisemitic remarks during interviews and on social media.
The rapper, who has been involved in various controversies over the years, has been dropped by both Adidas and Balenciaga over the “hateful and dangerous” comments.
A number of fellow celebrities have also condemned his behaviour.
Isobel Lewis explains the latest controversy, his remarks, and the criticism around it:
What Kanye West did: Antisemitic remarks, criticism and repercussions
Kanye West’s anti semitic tweets: Timeline
Madam Tussauds London moves Kanye West wax figure
ICYMI: Madame Tussauds has removed its wax figure of Kanye West from public view.
The model of the US rapper, who has legally changed his name to Ye, has been moved to an archive by the museum.
Charlotte McLaughlin reports:
Kanye West moved to archive at Madame Tussauds London
The West and Kim Kardashian figures were originally launched by the museum in 2015.
Essentials Playlist removed from Apple Music
ICYMI: Kanye West’s Essentials Playlist appears to have been removed from Apple Music.
The move comes as the rapper continued to face backlash after making a series of antisemitic remarks during interviews and on social media.
There has been no official statement by Apple Music on the development yet.
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