John Legend is opening up about his longtime friendship and eventual fallout with rapper Kanye West. In a brand new interview with The Occasions printed on Saturday, Could 10, Legend appeared again at their bond, which began within the early 2000s. He described West on the time as “very passionate, very gifted,” and stated he had “large goals not just for himself but additionally for all of the individuals round him.”
“He had a lot optimism, a lot creativity,” John Legend continued. “It does really feel unhappy, typically surprising, to see the place he’s now.” The 2 musicians grew to become shut whereas engaged on music collectively, particularly throughout the interval surrounding the discharge of West’s debut album The Faculty Dropout in 2004.
Legend shared that being round Kanye West early in his profession gave him worthwhile publicity. He shared that West rose to fame after producing Jay-Z’s album The Blueprint in 2001 and shortly gained consideration as a solo artist. Throughout that point, Legend was touring with him, performing as his singer and keyboard participant, which additionally helped him achieve visibility as an artist.
He talked about that earlier than this era, many music labels had rejected him, however West’s rising reputation modified that. After The Faculty Dropout offered 400,000 copies in its first week, there was a surge of curiosity of their crew. In line with Legend, the identical individuals who had beforehand dismissed his music immediately discovered it way more interesting.
When requested why Kanye West has modified a lot over time, Legend pointed to a key life occasion. “I don’t suppose we’re certified to psychoanalyze him, however after his mom handed in 2007, there was undoubtedly a distinction,” he stated. “His descent began then and appears to have accelerated lately.”
In recent times, Kanye West has been within the headlines for controversial conduct, together with making antisemitic feedback and talking publicly about his private struggles, significantly relating to custody of his kids with ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
On April 30, Kanye went on a livestream the place he talked about not with the ability to see his kids, North, 11, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 5.
“Akademiks put that battery in my again, bro. ‘Trigger I used to be within the airport on my own…I’mma go get these children, man!” West stated in a video shared by Hollywood Unlocked. “I’m speaking to the legal professionals, it will get to the purpose the place I don’t lose my f***ing thoughts the place I acquired to get used to not seeing my children.”
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