Kanye West has shared a picture of a red swastika on a black background, claiming it would be the album art for an upcoming record – which has horrified fans of his music
Kanye West has spoken out after sparking controversy with his latest social media post.
The rapper shared an image of a red swastika on a black background on X, claiming it to be the cover art for his upcoming album. The announcement left fans appalled, with the 47-year-old musician, now known as Ye, later attempting to justify his choice of imagery.
The post from the musician is captioned: “NEW ALBUM COVER.” It remains uncertain whether this is an official announcement, given West’s history of making provocative posts on social media.
Some users have suggested this recent stunt indicates West is “desperate for attention”. One post featured a screenshot from a viral TikTok, captioned: “People who be desperate for attention.”
Another user commented: “I would pick something that could be legally sold in Europe.” West later attempted to defend his use of the symbol in a subsequent post on the platform.
He wrote: “WHATS MORE HATEFUL THE CONTENT OR USING THE SWASTIKA SYMBOL THAT ORIGINALLY MEANT WELL BEING.”
The rapper seems to be referencing the original meaning of ‘swastika’ in Sanskrit, which translates to ‘well-being’. The symbol was used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism before being co-opted by the Third Reich in the 1930s, becoming synonymous with Nazism and anti-Semitism.
This is not the first time West has been embroiled in controversy relating to swastika imagery. Ye put shirts with swastikas on them up for sale on his website, featuring a code reading HH-01 – though to be code for ‘Heil Hitler’. The site was swiftly taken down.
He was also dropped by his talent agency for a series of anti-Semitic posts to X. similarly, Adidas confirmed in 2022 they had severed ties with the rapper, and announced earlier this month that the last of his Yeezy shoes had been sold.
The rapper has fallen into further controversy after posting the song Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine, a collaboration with his daughter North West and Sean “Diddy” Combs. The song also features Diddy’s son, Christian “King” Combs.
The song begins with a voice recording thought to have been Combs’ – who is currently being held in a Brooklyn jail while awaiting trial, which will begin on May 12. The recording appears to be a phone call between Ye and Combs, during which the jailed rapper thanks Kanye for his support and for “taking care” of his children.
Sharing the song on X, Kanye wrote: “LONELY ROADS STILL GO TO SUNSHINE new song by PUFF DADDY feat. His son KING COMBS my daughter NORTH WEST and new Yeezy artist from Chicago Jasmine Williams.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
