Kanye says mental illness caused him to say slavery was a choice for Blacks

Photo via A.R. Shaw
Photo via A.R. Shaw

Kanye West spoke for the first time since the release of his album and his meltdown on TMZ. During his album release party for ye in Jackson, Wyoming, Kanye sat down with Big Boy TV to discuss his album and personal issues.


In early May, Kanye upset most of his fans after he showed support for Donald Trump and claimed that slavery was a choice for Blacks while on TMZ. Following his rant on TMZ, Kanye said he created an entirely different album.


“We just sat there and really honed in on the words. Also, we know now, it’s all headlines, every bar can be used. I took a bar off the album. It was just too sensitive about that topic and stuff.”

He also said that his mental illness was the cause of his TMZ rant. Kanye, 40, said he was diagnosed with a mental illness (he mentions being bi-polar on the new album) at 39.


“I’m so blessed and so privileged because think about people that have mental issues that are not Kanye West, that can’t go and make that [album] and make you feel like it’s all good. Think about someone who does exactly what I did at TMZ and they just do that at work. On Tuesday morning, they come in and they just lost their job. And they can’t go back and do that…That’s why God put that on me at 40…I’ve never been diagnosed and I was like 39 years old…It’s not a disability, it’s a superpower,” Kanye told Big Boy.

While Kanye could be suffering from mental illness, it’s important for him to take responsibility for his actions as a 40-year-old man. He has the right to think the way he wants, but spreading propaganda fueled by Trump and Candice Owens is detrimental to the Black community.

Kanye should continue to make music, but he should also remain silent if he feels the need to say things that will hurt his community.

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