Kanye West has a disturbing history of admiring Hitler, sources tell CNN

Several people who were once close to the artist formerly known as Kanye West told CNN that he has long been fascinated by Adolf Hitler. He once wanted to name an album after the Nazi leader, sources say.

A business executive who worked for West, who now goes by Yes I told CNN that the artist created a hostile work environment, in part because of his “obsession” with Hitler.

“He praised Hitler saying how incredible it was that he was able to accumulate so much power and talked about all the great things he and the Nazi Party achieved for the German people,” he told the BBC. CNN .

The executive left his post and reached an agreement with West and some of his companies over workplace complaints, including harassment, that the CNN analyzed. The former executive asked not to be identified due to a confidentiality agreement and fear of reprisal from West. According to the agreement, the musician denied the allegations of the executive.

The executive told CNN that West spoke openly about reading “Mein Kampf” (“My Struggle”), Hitler’s 1925 autobiographical manifesto and expressed his “admiration” for the Nazis and Hitler for their use of propaganda.

The source claimed that people in West’s inner circle were “fully aware” of his interest in Hitler.

Four sources told the CNN that West had originally suggested the title “Hitler” for his 2018 album, which was eventually released as “Ye.” They declined to be identified, citing professional concerns.

THE CNN contacted West for comment.

Universal Music Group, which owns Def Jam, which distributed West’s music, said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday (25) that the company’s relationship with its label GOOD Music ended last year.

“There is no place for anti-Semitism in our society. We are deeply committed to fighting anti-Semitism and all other forms of prejudice.”

The sources with which CNN spoke had no information on why the album was called “Ye”.

Van Lathan Jr., a former TMZ employee, who confronted West during his 2018 interview at his offices, in which West said slavery “sounds like a choice,” recently claimed on a podcast that West also made anti-Semitic remarks during the conversation with the vehicle. That’s why Lathan said his current comments didn’t surprise him.

“I’ve heard him say that before on TMZ,” Lathan said during an episode of the “Higher Learning” podcast earlier this month.

“I mean, I was surprised because this kind of anti-Semitic talk is disgusting. It’s like, I’m surprised every time someone does that, right? But as far as [a West], I knew that was in him because when he came to TMZ, he said these things and they took it out of the interview. … He said something like, ‘I love Hitler, I love the Nazis.’ Something along those lines when he was there. And they took that out of the interview for some reason. It was not my decision.”

One of the sources that spoke to the CNN and was in the interview with TMZ said that West made a favorable reference to Hitler.

THE CNN contacted TMZ for comment.

The revelation of West’s alleged history of admiring Hitler comes amid a wave of inflammatory actions by West that began earlier this month. He donned a “White Lives Matter” shirt during his Yeezy fashion show in Paris on October 3 and dressed several black models in clothing with the phrase, considered a hate slogan by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

He then posted a private Instagram text conversation between himself and Sean “Diddy” Combs, in which he claimed that Combs was “controlled by the Jewish people.” He followed this up with a tweet in which he said he would “going death con 3 [sic] On JEWISH PEOPLE”, which resulted in his Twitter account being blocked.

West’s offensive rhetoric in recent weeks has resulted in a professional downfall for the rapper and designer. On Tuesday, Adidas ended its seven-year partnership with West, calling his recent actions “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous”.

In a statement, the sportswear maker said it “does not condone anti-Semitism and any other type of hate speech” and said West’s recent comments violate the company’s “values ​​of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness”.

Balenciaga also cut ties with West, as did talent agency CAA. Production company MRC stated that it was shelving a documentary about West, and GAP announced that it would remove Yeezy Gap merchandise from its stores and close the YeezyGap.com website.

In an Instagram post Thursday, captioned “LOVE SPEECH,” West appeared to be referencing the severed business ties, writing, in part, “I lost 2 billion dollars in one day and I’m still alive.”

West was referenced in banners held up by anti-Semitic protesters in Los Angeles over the weekend. His comments were condemned by the American Jewish Committee and the ADL, as well as several political leaders and celebrities, including his ex-wife Kim Kardashian.