The artist formerly known as Kanye West recently made headlines again with his controversial statements about Kendrick Lamar and Drake during an interview with Akademiks.
In the interview, Ye wore a black Ku Klux Klan-style hood, a shocking choice that further fueled the controversy surrounding his recent social media activity. He greeted Akademiks at the door wearing a Sean John t-shirt and a swastika chain before delving into his thoughts on the music industry.
The interview, posted on Rumble and X over the weekend, follows a series of incendiary, Nazism-focused posts from Ye. His comments also came amid the ongoing rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, a feud that has dominated the hip-hop world in 2024.
During the conversation, Ye took aim at Kendrick Lamar’s career, questioning why the Compton rapper had been chosen to perform at the Super Bowl. “Why do they want somebody with no hits like Kendrick to do the Super Bowl?” Ye asked Akademiks, echoing sentiments that many fans found dismissive of Kendrick’s impact on the industry.
This remark was particularly surprising given Ye’s previous support for Kendrick during his earlier years when he opened for Ye on the Yeezus Tour. His words seemed to downplay Kendrick’s influence, despite the fact that the rapper has won multiple Grammy Awards and achieved critical acclaim throughout his career.
Later in the interview, Akademiks attempted to clarify the longstanding tension between Ye and Drake, expressing his confusion about their on-again, off-again relationship. In response, Ye described his dynamic with Drake as akin to family members who don’t get along. “It’s like family members that you don’t f*** with,” he said.
However, he was quick to emphasize his belief in Drake’s superiority over Kendrick. “One thing is, Drake is a million times better than Kendrick and a million times more important,” Ye stated, reaffirming his stance that Drake holds a higher status in the industry than his Compton counterpart.
Ye went on to claim that Kendrick’s 2022 album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, was a “direct copy” of his own 2016 album, The Life of Pablo. Despite making this accusation, he simultaneously asserted that he didn’t “really have a problem” with Kendrick.
While still wearing the KKK-style hood, Ye added, “I don’t really have a problem with Kendrick. I would never call Kendrick a f****t, you know what I’m saying? I don’t like what happened with the song and that whole idea. I don’t like how they used Kendrick. And also, I don’t like him saying he’s the No. 1 because I’m the No. 1.”
His remarks suggested that his issue was not necessarily with Kendrick himself but rather with how the industry was positioning him.
As the conversation continued, Ye addressed claims that his recent outbursts against Kendrick were motivated by jealousy. Rather than refuting the notion, he embraced it, justifying his emotions by referencing religious ideology.
“Y’all don’t go to church?” he asked. God is an angry God. God is a jealous God. What are you talking about? I’m the closest thing to God on Earth, and I act just like how God acts.” His comparison of himself to a divine figure has been a recurring theme in Ye’s statements over the years, further fueling debates about his mental state and public persona.
Later in the interview, Ye made an even more direct admission of envy. “Yes, I was jealous that Kendrick is on Carti’s album,” he confessed, referring to Kendrick’s multiple appearances on Playboi Carti’s album MUSIC. The album, which recently secured its second consecutive week at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, has been a major success, and Ye’s acknowledgment of jealousy highlighted his ongoing struggle with industry dynamics and relevance.
The tension between Ye and Carti has also been growing, with Carti recently directing an “STFU” at Ye in an X post. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar has not responded to any of Ye’s recent provocations, choosing instead to focus on his music.
The Compton rapper is set to embark on a stadium tour with SZA in April, further solidifying his place at the top of the hip-hop hierarchy. While Ye continues to stir controversy, Kendrick remains silent, letting his music and achievements speak for themselves.
Ye’s interview with Akademiks has reignited discussions about his place in the industry and his increasingly erratic behavior. With his polarizing statements and shocking attire, the artist continues to court controversy, leaving fans and critics alike questioning what his next move will be.
Whether his remarks about Kendrick and Drake were meant to spark further debate or simply reflect his true feelings, one thing is certain—Ye remains one of the most unpredictable and divisive figures in modern music.
