Kanye West’s Complicated Relationship with Drake Suspected to Drive Antisemitic Comments, Malik Yusef Reveals
Kanye West’s tumultuous relationship with Canadian rapper Drake is believed to have been the motivating factor behind the antisemitic comments that caused controversy for the Yeezy boss last year, according to Malik Yusef, an influential poet and rapper. Yusef recently spoke about Kanye’s fall from grace and the derogatory remarks he made about the Jewish community during an appearance on the Rap Today With Francis podcast.
During the interview, Yusef disclosed that he believes Kanye’s comments were directed towards Drake, whom he identifies as Ye’s long-time collaborator and fellow Chicagoan. Yusef admitted he had never directly worked with Drake because Kanye had explicitly asked him not to. Furthermore, he revealed that Kanye had made similar requests to fellow rapper Travis Scott, though Scott declined.
In addition to speculating about the intended target of Kanye’s remarks, Yusef also raised doubts about the authenticity of the rapper’s antisemitism, suggesting that it might simply be an act. Yusef pointed out that he frequently sees Kanye interacting with Jewish individuals, even during the period when he made the controversial comments. He concluded that it could all be part of Kanye’s persona as an entertainer, rather than reflecting any genuine beliefs.
Returning to the subject of Drake, Yusef expressed confusion about Kanye’s repeated attacks on his fellow musician, asserting that Drake harbors feelings of love and admiration for Kanye, while Kanye himself seems to harbor a deep dislike for Drake. Yusef failed to identify any valid reasons for Kanye’s animosity towards Drake, noting that Drake has consistently shown kindness and respect towards him. Yusef dismissed Kanye’s claims that Drake had stolen his style, stating that Drake possesses his own unique style that incorporates various influences.
Yusef shared a history of working closely with Kanye in the past, notably collaborating on Kanye’s sophomore album, G.O.O.D. Morning, G.O.O.D. Night, in 2009. He was also featured on the song Sin City from the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album, Cruel Summer.
Kanye’s reputation has suffered significantly over the past year, reaching its lowest point when he embarked on a lengthy antisemitic diatribe across multiple media platforms. As a result, several organizations distanced themselves from the rapper, including Adidas and Balenciaga.
The comments made by Malik Yusef shed new light on Kanye West’s contentious relationship with Drake and the potential driving force behind his antisemitic remarks. While Yusef questions the authenticity of Kanye’s stance, the impact of his words on his public image and business relationships cannot be ignored. The dynamics between these two influential musicians continue to fascinate and puzzle fans and industry insiders alike.
