WOODBURY — Kanye West, now known as Ye, transitioned from a six-time platinum artist to facing the freezing of his bank accounts and the allegedly stolen designs of his popular apparel line, Yeezy. How did Ye go from being a hero to a villain, and what contributed to these events? Furthermore, what distinguishes him as both an artist and an individual?
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is a well-known American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. He initially gained prominence in the early 2000s for his bold take on the hip-hop musical style and bold fashion choices. Over time, he has evolved into a cultural icon, pushing the boundaries of music, fashion, and art while leaving a profound mark on popular culture.
Recently, Kanye has made statements in the media that have been perceived as anti-Semitic and hateful, but at least one Nonnewaug student still appreciates his artistic ability.
“His inherent creativity and ability to replicate success are unmatched,” said Thomas Harris, an NHS junior.
Ye’s artistic persona is revered, but we must also address how he transitioned from a musical genius to being associated with extremist ideologies by some.
To answer this question, fans often consider where this transformation may have originated. Kanye’s divorce from Kim Kardashian in November 2022 marked the beginning of his erratic behavior. It’s important to remember that Kanye West has a history of speaking his mind, evident in incidents such as his 2005 comments about George Bush or his interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs.
This pattern of behavior became especially apparent during his season 9 Yeezy release when he featured a phrase that caused people to raise their eyebrows. Given the problematic nature of this phrase associated with hate groups, fans demanded an apology. Kanye’s response led to his permanent ban from Instagram.
This might have been the moment when Kanye’s behavior took a significant turn, as he returned to Twitter shortly after, making comments that were perceived as hateful. He even made some very harsh comments targeting religious groups. These comments resulted in yet another platform ban, this time from Twitter. Subsequent racist and anti-Semitic remarks caused many of his former celebrity friends to condemn his actions and disassociate themselves from him. It’s essential to note that while Kanye has struggled with mental health issues in the past, these issues do not excuse his actions.
Now, with all this context, fans can see how Kanye’s identity as an artist can be separated from his personal persona. As an artist, he is often described as unmatched, but as a person, he has faced criticism and condemnation for his behavior. A student from a school summed it up by saying, “I thought he was the greatest producer of all time, but a very evil person,” said James Mahon.
Considering the greatness of Kanye West and the differing opinions of him as an artist and as a person, it’s up to each reader to form their own perspective on his downfall, taking into account the potential influence of his mental health issues.
