During an interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News, Kanye West defended wearing a “White Lives Matter” t-shirt during Paris Fashion Week, saying that “they do.” He explained, “I do certain things from a feeling. I just channel the energy, it just feels right. It’s using a gut instinct, a connection with God and just brilliance.” He also discussed his dad’s reaction to the t-shirt, saying, “I thought the shirt was a funny shirt. I thought the idea of wearing it was funny. And I said ‘Dad why do you think it’s funny?’ And he said ‘just a black man stating the obvious.’”
On the backlash, he said, “They’re looking for an explanation — as an artist you don’t have to give an explanation but as a leader you do. So the answer to why I wrote ‘White Lives Matter’ on a shirt is they do. It’s an obvious thing.”
When Carlson asked why he thought the “White Lives Matter” statement was so controversial, West blamed “a group mob” of “liberal nazis” as well as the media, which he said pushes white societal norms. He explained, “Because the same people that have stripped us of an identity and labeled us as a color have told us what it means to be black and the vernacular you’re supposed to have.”
Ye also revealed that the controversy started after a black woman said she “felt traumatized” after seeing it. He explained, “It’s like a black girl saying ‘I felt traumatized when I saw a black man wearing something he wasn’t supposed to wear.”
KANYE TALKS LIZZO
During the interview, Kanye also talked about Lizzo’s weight, saying that he believes the media is perpetuating the idea that being “overweight” is a goal. He explained, “Lizzo works with my trainer, a friend of mine. When Lizzo loses ten pounds and announces it, the bots — that’s a term for telemarketers on the internet — the bots they attack her because the media wants to put out a perception that being overweight is the new goal, when it’s actually unhealthy.”
He continued, “Let’s put aside that it’s fashion and Vogue, which it’s not, or if someone thinks it’s attractive, to each his own, it’s actually clinically unhealthy. And for people to promote that, it’s demonic.”
KANYE RESPONDS TO ADIDAS SAYING THEIR PARTNERSHIP IS ‘UNDER REVIEW’
Meanwhile, Adidas has announced that their Yeezy partnership with Kanye West is currently “under review” for the foreseeable future amid his “White Lives Matter” t-shirt scandal. They said in a statement, “Adidas has always been about creativity, innovation and supporting athletes and artists to achieve their vision. The Adidas Yeezy partnership is one of the most successful collaborations in our industry’s history. We are proud of our team that has worked tirelessly throughout our collaboration with Ye and the iconic products that were born from it. We also recognize that all successful partnerships are rooted in mutual respect and shared values. After repeated efforts to privately resolve the situation, we have taken the decision to place the partnership under review. We will continue to co-manage the current product during this period.”
West responded to the news via Instagram, saying ““F*****CK ADIDAS. I AM ADIDAS ADIDAS RAPED AND STOLE MY DESIGNS.”