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West has proven to be a powerful influence in the music industry, political world, and subject of mental health, but on a less serious note, he’s also just a meme sometimes.  While a lot of people are done with Kanye’s words and actions, and others stan him until the end of time, both groups and everyone in between can’t resist a good Ye meme.  Best of all, he embraces it (this was taken from his Twitter).  He doesn’t always take himself too seriously and moments like this are what remind us that he’s still just a human.  It does not excuse the damaging things he has said, done, and endorsed, but hopefully it can help to bridge the gap of understanding just a bit.  The best thing we can do as fans, or simply observers, is hold him and anyone else in his position accountable for their actions.  

On a personal note, I am longtime Kanye fan who strongly disagrees with so much of his politics and believes he needs to take seriously the affect his words have.  A lot of people are talking about whether it’s okay to separate the music from the artist, and essentially support their music without endorsing their ideas or actions.  In this situation, I feel fine about continuing to enjoy his music but sometimes don’t because I am disappointed or angry about something that has happened.  That being said, I would never vote for a Kanye West presidency or shy away from speaking out against something he’s said his wrong.  Expanding on what I mentioned above-- with all the responsibility we demand from him, I believe fans hold some responsibility, too. 

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West married into the Kardashian family on May 24, 2014 and to no one’s surprise, fit in perfectly with the chaos that is that reality TV family.  However, sometimes he’s too much even for them.  Back in May, he had another controversial and intense TMZ interview that concern his family greatly.  Apparently, it wasn’t the first time he had an outburst that cause inconveniences to those around him.  Kris Jenner was set to be a guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show that day and Kim insisted she cancel the appearance because she wouldn’t be able to explain Kanye’s mental state well.  Kim also said she had to rush home, in tears and worried for Kanye’s mental health, to find him completely fine.  About these episodes of mania, she said,  "The thing is, when he gets ramped up, he can't control what he says, he can't let it go. But he loves being ramped up. He's like, 'I feel powerful when I'm ramped up. I don't want to be so suppressed. Yeah, I say crazy shit, but I've always said crazy shit. That's why I'm Kanye.'"

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Donda’s House is a non-profit organization in Chicago that helps local youth through music.  Although it is named after Kanye’s mother, Donda West, his old friend Rhymefest, aka Che Smith, has been running things.  Earlier this year, Rhymefest got involved in Drake and Pusha T’s beef and called out West for not contributing to the charity.  Kanye responded with “fuck the youth of Chicago” and Kim Kardashian retaliated on Twitter, resulting in this long response from Rhymefest.  Evidently, the West-Kardashian family has not been as involved as they say were, not too surprisingly.  Since this conflict, the name of the organization has been changed to Art of Culture, Inc., in compliance of both parties’ wishes.  

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Yeezy Supply

Here are some tops and footwear that can be found in the New Arrivals area of YeezySupply.com.  While the price of these boots is more understandable, many may wonder who will pay upwards of $100 for a plain t-shirt.   One part of this is that West has created such a valuable personal brand, anything he makes will have high value.  However, contemporary fashion is also moving in the direction of streetwear and this trend combined with high demand equals a prime business model.   Ellie Pithers, fashion features editor of British Vogue, comments that West’s understanding of the place between athletic wear and high fashion help him to relate to a young consumer base during a time retailers find it difficult.  Yeezy is about lifestyle and is just another example of how influential West really is. 

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Kanye & Mental Health

In June 2018, West opened up about his mental health with the release of his most recent studio album, Ye. The song “Yikes” says: 

That's why I fuck with ‘Ye That's my third person That's my bipolar shit, nigga what? That's my superpower, nigga ain't no disability I'm a superhero! I'm a superhero!

Of course, the album cover (pictured here) is also quite obvious.  As everything West is up to lately, or always, this was controversial for a few reasons.  Some say that his sporadic, intense behavior and extreme words/actions are damaging to an already negative stereotype about bipolar disorder.  Others say we have no right at all to judge another’s mental health experience, regardless if it’s Kanye or not.  Overall, though, it seemed that many flocked to West’s side to support him and encourage the visibility it brought to bipolar disorder.  

Then, in October during his meeting with Trump,  West said it was all a mistake, “I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I was connected with a neuropsychologist that worked with athletes in the NBA and the NFL. He said that I actually wasn't bipolar, I had sleep deprivation, which could cause dementia 10 to 20 years from now where I wouldn't even remember my son's name.”  Later on Twitter he added,  “It’s all part of a system to control your mind, to control my mind. To make me look like I'm crazy to you. I am not crazy. I can ramp up if I suffer from sleep deprivation.”

Kanye’s opening up about his condition was a huge step forward for those with bipolar and other mental disorders, especially black folks, who are 20% more likely to experience a mental disorder but also the least likely to be provided information and treatment (https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Diverse-Communities/African-Americans).  Despite saying he wants to change the stigma surrounding mental health multiple times in interviews with Charlamagne tha God and Big Boy, West’s actions are still interpreted sometimes as less than helpful.  Kiana Fitzgerald, Complex writer and author of the linked article, went so far as to write a “break up letter” to Kanye because his actions have made the stigma surrounding her own bipolar disorder much worse.  She essentially says that despite his dealing with bipolar disorder, he needs to rein it in because he is too influential to be acting so recklessly. 

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Kanye shared his texts between him and longtime friend John Legend.  This is the first screenshot of several that he posted.  It’s really interesting to see such a proud display of what is really just Kanye’s denial and paranoia.  Legend continues to explain why supporting Trump is so detrimental to the culture Kanye has been an icon for.  

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Pharrell Williams says in an interview with Complex that despite disagreeing with Kanye, he will continue to support his brother and care for him.  

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Many of Kanye’s peers were not happy with his close minded politics but still maintained an open dialogue with him.  In this track, West’s friend T.I. plays the role of “the People,” or the general population of naysayers that don’t agree with West’s support of Trump.  On his Instagram story, T.I. said,  “Yesterday Spent the day wit Kanye… Long term work in progress, no doubt. Still Optimistic. Something From our discussion gon STICK… I refuse to just give up on him. The Old Ye Too Important!!!”

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Like most things that come out of the mouths of West and Trump, this interview is riddled with ignorance and nonsense.  Clocking in at around 20 minutes, they talk about everything from the prison system to Yeezy Supply. 

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PR Tour / Fall 2018

West appeared on a number of talk shows and interviews this year, several significant ones airing this fall.  He was a guest on the August 9 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, during which Kimmel referred to his famous “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” quote and asked him what makes him think Trump cares about black people.  Kanye was silent for so long that they had to go to commercial break, but later denied being stumped by the question or having anything but a lovely interview.  September 29 brought Kanye’s Saturday Night Live appearance as the season premier’s musical guest.  He went on yet another right-winged political rant that had to be cut off to the public due to time, but was quickly posted online by audience members.  Then, Kanye went back to TMZ Live on October 1 and stated that he was trying to facilitate a meeting between Trump and Colin Kaepernick.  He continued to hold tightly to the MAGA hat as an important symbol and said he would always fiercely support the president, no matter who they are.  

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West speaks with open and blatant racism: "When you hear about slavery for 400 years…for 400 years? That sounds like a choice.” 

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Charlamagne tha God interviews Kanye West in his CA home.  Aired May 1, 2018. 

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The top reply on West’s “I love Trump” tweet.  She sums up what many fans and followers were thinking, how could Kanye, as someone in a marginalized group, support a racist, fear based campaign?

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After a social media hiatus, Kanye returned to Twitter with a storm of political tweets that left many fans and fellow celebrities angry and upset.  Meanwhile, MAGA stans suddenly support Kanye and the media coverage was all on him again.  For a narcissist like Kanye, this type of attention was intoxicating.  

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Less than a week after West was released from the hospital, he visited Trump Tower in New York City.  He said that he “just wanted to meet with Trump today to discuss multicultural issues” and that in order to evoke change, he needs direct communication with the “future President.”

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During West’s Saint Pablo Tour follow the release of The Life of Pablo (2016), he gave a 25 minute rant in San Jose, CA, publicly endorsing Donald Trump and sharing other political idealogy.  He expressed that just because he would have voted for Trump (had he voted) in the 2016 election, doesn’t mean he doesn’t care for black lives, women’s rights, or gay marriage rights.  Not long after this incident, he was admitted to the hospital for “stress and exhaustion.”

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West for Vanity Fair, “It’s not in support or anti any of [the people in the video]. It’s a comment on fame." (2016)