A continuous theme in today’s society is deciding whether or not you should continue supporting an artist or public figure who has done questionable things. Think Ellen DeGeneres, DaBaby, JK Rowling, Louis CK, R Kelly, Whoopie Goldberg. Also, consider Kanye West - is it unethical to keep listening to or watching someone who’s been “canceled?”

Kanye: an Ethiopian name that means “only one”. 

“Hello, my only one, remember who you are. No, you're not perfect but you're not your mistakes.” (West, Kanye. “Only One”). It is a fair assumption to say that Kanye is an “only one;” he is one of the most unique people on this planet. I’d go as far as to say he is a creative genius. Kanye is most definitely not perfect in the public eye, so, can we continue to enjoy his art and music in light of his recent controversies?

Personally, I have been working to formulate an opinion on the “KimYe” drama. As a feminist and someone who admires Kim, I sympathize with her and her innocent children who are bearing the brunt of Kanye’s outbursts. I have been following her life story since 2010 when I started watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and I respect her immensely for the empire she has built and for her dedication to being a loving mother, sister, daughter, wife and friend., I understand the toxicity of Kanye’s social media rants, and how they can potentially endanger Kim and her loved ones. Looking at the situation objectively, it is easy to blame Kanye and lose all respect for him. However, I have taken into account his mental health struggles with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association, can bring on “extreme and intense emotional states” and can include “risky behavior” and irritability.

If you have checked social media in the last month, you have definitely seen those extreme states and risky behavior. Kanye made a collage of himself and Pete Davidson in the form of a Marvel ad, to illustrate their tensions (see below).

This has become a huge debate, and Kanye fans, like myself, are unsure how to feel. On many of Kanye's Instagram posts, his fans have expressed a wide variety of opinions on his explosions. Some supporters have left comments such as “We got you ye,” while others have shown disapproval, commenting “Please take his phone away.”

The question has become: do we feel anger towards him for disrespecting Kim and his family, commend him for expressing his true self, or feel worried due to his lack of control over his emotions? 

I feel a combination of all three. 

As silly as this might sound, I have a deep emotional attachment to Kanye’s music. On those late-night drives, windows down, music blasting, Kanye is always my go-to.  Kanye’s lyrics have uplifted me. As someone easily impacted by music, Kanye holds power over my state of mind; a lot of his lyrics resonate with me, and allow me to really sympathize with his struggles. 

My favorite line of all time is from his Ye album in “Ghost Town,” when he powerfully sings “And nothin’ hurts anymore I feel kinda free.” I found some much-needed guidance in his words, and this song liberates me, lifting a heavy weight off of my shoulders. It is such a powerful song and serves as a reminder to not take life so seriously.

I was really contradicted when Kanye openly expressed support for Donald Trump, a President with unsettling views of race. I particularly felt confused in Kanye’s support of Trump as Kanye’s older music focused a lot on racial inequalities. He expressed that his support of Trump is a result of his desire to not be confined to vote Democrat just because he is Black. This decision of his is problematic, but I applaud him for wanting to free himself from societal bounds. I just wish he communicated this in other more authentic and responsible ways, though. 

In “Through the Wire,” a song that was written when Kanye’s mouth was literally wired shut after an accident, he sings “And just imagine how my girl feel / On the plane scared as hell that her guy look like Emmett Till.” Emmett Till was a 14-year-old Black boy who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of whistling at a White woman in a grocery store. In Power, he raps “Lost in translation with a whole fuckin' nation / They say I was the abomination of Obama's nation / Well that's a pretty bad way to start the conversation”, to express his growing frustration with the nation as a misunderstood Black man who wants to live his own vision of freedom. Consequently, Kanye did in fact launch a presidential campaign that was met with backlash and did not see much success.

It is sometimes appropriate to separate an artist from their art, especially if you can rationalize their actions through the lens of mental health issues. I focus on the good that Kanye has done; sharing his music, raising a beautiful family, and creating a legendary Sunday Service gospel choir. I  hope, for Kim’s sake and for Kanye’s legacy, that he is getting help and pushing through his issues to learn how to cope properly. 

Social media scandals aside, I believe in giving credit where credit is due. Kanye is a renowned artist who deserves to be praised at the very least for his ability to be real, transparent, and above all, talented. But he must be held accountable. 

If you are interested in more about his backstory, check out his new Netflix documentary, “Jeen-YUHS” which was released in January.

Ye, if you’re reading this, I am here for you 🙌🏼