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.
Twitter won’t comment on future of Kanye West’s account after Elon Musk’s takeover
Twitter has not commented on the status of Kanye West‘s account amid unverified reports that he’d regained access after weeks of being locked out for posting antisemitic messages earlier this month.
Rumours that he’d been let back on the site swirled on Friday morning, just hours after Elon Musk successfully took over the social media platform for $44bn, a move that many speculated would lead to previously suspended and locked accounts being made accessible by the self-described free speech absolutist.
It seemed a good omen that on Wednesday night, the 45-year-old rapper had seen Instagram reverse the ban on his account, his preferred platform for posting. He’d previously lost access to posting on both social media platforms earlier this month for sharing separate antisemitic posts that broke with each company’s terms of service.
Speculation about the status of West’s Twitter account began to grow on Friday as some outlets began to report that his account had been unsuspended, which was incorrect as the rapper had only been restricted from posting and using his account.
Catch up on the latest here with The Independent’s full report.
Twitter won’t comment on future of Kanye West’s account after Elon Musk’s takeover
The rapper was locked out of his Instagram and Twitter account for weeks after he posted antisemitic messages on each platform
What did Kanye West originally do to get locked out of Instagram and Twitter?
Though it was unclear if he was still locked out of his Twitter account on Friday, Kanye West has been experiencing an onslaught of backlash after he made 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.
Tracing the latest controversy, The Independent’s Isobel Lewis breaks down where this all began and what has happened since the initial incident at Paris Fashion Week, during which he and right-wing commentator Candace Owens wore “White Lives Matter” t-shirts.
What Kanye West did: Antisemitic remarks, criticism and repercussions
Kanye West’s anti semitic tweets: Timeline
Quentin Tarantino says Kanye West approached him about ‘very funny’ slave-themed music video
Quentin Tarantino has addressed Kanye West’s claims that he stole the idea for Django Unchained from him.
The director – who won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the 2012 film – appeared as a guest on Thursday’s episode (27 October) of Jimmy Kimmel Live, during which he directly spoke about West’s allegations.
The rapper recently said that he originally pitched the story to Tarantino and Jamie Foxx, who stars in the film, in the hopes that it would be the music video for his 2005 hit song “Gold Digger”.
West said that he had pitched a slavery-themed story for the video, which never came to fruition.
In part of his response to Kimmel about the accusation, Tarantino had this to say: “I had the idea for Django for a while before I ever met Kanye.”
Annabel Nugent has Tarantino’s full remarks to the late-night host here.
Tarantino says Kanye West approached him about ‘very funny’ slave-themed video
Director denied West’s claim that he ‘stole’ the idea for his film ‘Django Unchained’ from the rapper, but says they discussed a slave-themed video for his song ‘Gold Digger’
Most-wanted Halloween costumes for 2022 include Kanye West, Batman and Stranger Things
A recent poll in the UK has found that the most sought after Halloween costumes for 2022 include none other than embattled rapper Kanye West.
A survey of 2,000 adults also discovered Will Smith, Lady Gaga and Pete Davidson are among the “go-to” looks.
Marvel character get-ups were popular, including Spiderman, Dr Strange and Black Widow.
The Independent has the full details of top costumes for Halloween this year here.
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
ICYMI: Former executive claims Kanye West had Hitler ‘obsession’ and admired Nazis, report says
A former executive who used to work with Kanye West is alleging the rapper had an open “obsession” with Adolf Hitler and used to reminisce about the “great things” the Nazi Party did for Germany, CNN reported.
The executive, who spoke with CNN on condition of anonymity, discussed how West, who legally changed his name to Ye, had created a hostile environment during their time working with the 45-year-old, in part because of his obsession with the leader of the Nazi Party.
“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 told CNN.
The Independent has reached out to West for comment on the allegations raised in the CNN report but did not hear back before publication.
Get the full details with The Independent here.
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
ICYMI: These are the brands and companies that will no longer work with Kanye West
Kanye West is facing intense backlash over his recent antisemitic comments, with a number of companies and brands announcing they will no longer do business with the rapper or his brand Yeezy.
However, despite having limited access to his social media accounts in recent weeks, the Yeezy founder has continued to express antisemitic views in interviews, including in a since-deleted interview with Drink Champs podcast, in which he claimed he could make antisemitic comments and still have the support of his longtime partner Adidas.
West has since been proven wrong, as a number of companies, including Adidas, have announced they will no longer work with him moving forward, while condemning his remarks.
From Adidas to The RealReal, these are the companies that have cut ties with West.
The brands that have cut ties with Kanye West amid antisemitism backlash
West lost his billionaire status overnight after Adidas ended its Yeezy partnership
ICYMI: Kanye West’s Donda Academy closes as fallout from antisemitic remarks grows
Kanye West’s Donda Academy is the latest victim of the fallout from the rapper’s antisemitic remarks: The unaccredited K-8 private Christian school announced to parents that it would be closing.
The private California school’s principal sent an emailed statement to parents and guardians on Wednesday night stating, “there is no school tomorrow,” The Times first reported.
“At the discretion of our Founder, Donda Academy will close for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year effective immediately,” wrote principal Jason Angell in the emailed statement.
The Simi Valley school’s principal added that these closures were not permanent and intends to “begin afresh in September of 2023.”
The Independent has more details here.
Kanye West’s Donda Academy closes as fallout from antisemitic remarks grows
The closure arrives as commerical partners, such as Adidas and CAA, have announced they’d be parting ways with the rapper
Kanye West’s $2bn net worth doesn’t exist without Adidas. Is it finally over for him?
In recent weeks, 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, Bevan Hurley breaks down what the future of West’s empire will look like in the wake of his latest controversy.
Kanye West’s antisemitism cost him an eye-watering amount. Is it finally over for Ye?
What did Kanye West say?
Watch: Spotify condemns Kanye West’s antisemitic comments but will not remove music from platform
Spotify has labelled Kanye West’s antisemitic comments “awful” but will not remove his music from their platform.
Discussing the controversy, CEO Daniel Ek said: “It’s really just his music and his music doesn’t violate our policies.”
However, Ek added that Ye’s catalogue could be removed if his label - Def Jam - decide to take action and request Spotify remove it.
Watch the full story below.
Spotify condemns Kanye West’s antisemitic comments but will not remove his music
Spotify has labelled Kanye West’s antisemitic comments “awful” but will not remove his music from their platform. Discussing the controversy, CEO Daniel Ek said: “It’s really just his music and his music doesn’t violate our policies.” However, Ek added that Ye’s catalogue could be removed if his label - Def Jam - decide to take action and request Spotify remove it. The label has already condemned West’s comments, saying “there is no place for antisemitism in our society,” but did not announce any plans to remove his music from the streaming platform. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
ICYMI: Holocaust museum flooded by antisemitic messages after Kanye West refused invite to visit
A California holocaust museum says it has been barraged with antisemitic messages after Kanye West refused a private tour.
The Holocaust Museum of Los Angeles says it has been flooded with abuse since it invited the rapper to visit amid his antisemitism controversy.
West rejected the offer during an appearance on the now-deleted Drink Champs podcast and told the hosts that Planned Parenthood was “our Holocaust Museum.”
Despite his string of antisemitic comments, the museum’s CEO said that they offered the tour in the hope it would change the disgraced rapper’s mind.
Graeme Massie has more here.
Holocaust museum flooded by antisemitic messages after Kanye West refused to visit
The rapper recently rejected an offer for a private tour at the Holocaust Museum of Los Angeles earlier this month
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