Kanye West’s recent visit with the president is sad to say the least. Never in my lifetime did I think I would see, someone I once called a genius fall from grace in this manner. I am not sure if he is living in a delusion or if his new life has him so detached from society that he thinks this behavior is okay or commendable.
The message that he sent to the media with his rambling monologue is that he is not the Kanye that we all grew to know and love. The Kanye who was in the Oval Office saying the that MAGA hat made him feel like he had superpowers is not the same Kanye who famously said George Bush doesn’t care about Black people or rapped. His recent behavior reminds me of one of his lyrics, “We trying to buy back our 40 acres; and for that paper, look how low we’ll stoop, even if you in a Benz, you still a nigga in a coupe.” He’s literally done all these things to gain the approval of white America and Trump’s base and he will always be seen as just another ‘nigga’ to them.
We’re talking about one of most socially conscious rappers of our generation, literally shucking and jiving in the Oval Office. In 2004, Kayne released ‘Jesus Walks,’ a socially conscious song that started with the line, “We at war with terrorism, racism, but most of all we at war with ourselves.” I think this line still rings true to this day, but the man who once said it does not have the same believes. Especially after this recent monologue in the Oval Office where he said he does not believe in racism. The man who rapped about his mother participated in the sit ins is gone.
Personally, I believe ever since his mother died Kanye has been expericing a lot of pain and all of this is a cry for help. Old Kanye would have never married Kim Kardashian or been a part of the circus that is this presidency. I wholeheartedly believe that he suffers from sleep deprivation as well as other undiagnosed mental disorders. I truly hope that he gets the help that he deserves. I hope that one day he returns to his former glory, the Kanye who sung about his mom, about making her proud. The ‘My Black Twisted Fantasy’ Kanye, then I’ll be happy.
Kyra E. Azore 