Kanye West criticism of Harriet Tubman at rambling campaign rally condemned by stars including 50 Cent and Q Tip

Rapper sparks outrage with comments over Underground Railroad heroine who helped 70 slaves escape captivity

Kanye West’s rambling campaign rally, which saw him criticise abolitionist Harriet Tubman, has been met with criticism by stars including 50 Cent and Q Tip.

The rapper held the rally in Charleston, South Carolina, where he is seeking to qualify for the state ballot as an independent candidate. His speech, which included boasts about having a “brain too big for his skull”, has been met with condemnation from a number of stars.

On Instagram, 50 Cent reposted a clip of West’s speech alongside the caption: “What the f*** did he just say? This is all Jay Z’s fault. Kanye’s first rally. LOL”

West’s criticism of Tubman, one of the most respected figures in American history, also came under fire. The rapper made the Tubman comments while condemning white businesses for employing black symbols, saying: “Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves, she just had the slaves go work for other white people.”

Tubman escaped slavery and subsequently rescued approximately 70 slaves using a secret network of safe houses and rural passage ways known as The Underground Railroad. It is unclear what West was talking about.

On Twitter, rapper Q Tip simply posted an image of Tubman along with the caption “#Hero”. Actor Jeffrey Wright tweeted: “Harriet Tubman doesn’t give a damn about anybody’s k***futurist opinion.”

Rapper Noname succinctly tweeted: “KEEP HARRIET TUBMAN NAME OUT YOUR F***ING MOUTH!!!!!!!”

The Hate U Give author Angie Thomas tweeted: “If y’all don’t stop disturbing Harriet Tubman’s spirit with this foolishness…”

Others, however, expressed unease with people taking West’s speech seriously, suggesting that the star needed help rather than condemnation.

Songwriter and producer Finneas O’Connell, the brother of Billie Eilish, tweeted: “Let’s completely disregard politics. Kanye is going through an episode and needs love and care from his friends and family.”

Rapper JPEGMAFIA tweeted: “I just hope Kanye is ok. I don’t really know what else to say here.”

It remains unclear whether West is indeed running for US president, despite his announcement on 8 July that he planned to run as a representative of a new political party known as “The Birthday Party”. On 14 July, a member of West’s campaign team claimed that he had already dropped out of the race.

The star requires 10,000 signatures by midday Monday (20 July) in order to appear on South Carolina’s ballot for the November US election.