Kanye West is regarded as a polarizing figure in the rap and fashion industry. Despite stoking controversies over the years, several people, including his peers, have drawn inspiration from his talent and immense contributions to both industries.
During a recent interview with DJ Akademiks, fellow rapper and fashion designer A$AP Rocky, 37, touched on how rappers in his generation were inspired by Kanye, 48, and other veteran hip-hop artists, Complex reported.
“They knocked down the door for us to be us,” the Don’t Be Dumb rapper said in reference to Kanye, Pharrell Williams, and Jay-Z. “They ran so we could walk.”
Rocky also stated that Kanye was “one of the most influential dudes to do this sh*t.” “I don’t agree with a lot of sh*t anybody does all the time, especially him. He’s on his own mission. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes he can be Ye,” he continued.
“I don’t think it takes away from what he did and how he influenced me.”
Despite being revered, Kanye has divided opinion because of his political and religious views. During President Donald Trump’s first term, Kanye openly endorsed him and even wore a MAGA cap during a meeting with Trump. Kanye later stoked further controversy on social media when he shared several antisemitic posts. Besides that, he also sold T-shirts emblazoned with swastikas on his website.
Kanye even went as far as releasing a controversial song titled, Heil Hitler. His actions ultimately led to multiple brands parting ways with him.
Elsewhere in the interview, Rocky entreated Akademiks to “stop having one-sided opinions.”
“Bring back the journalism that we need from you,” the 37-year-old said. “Stop having one-sided opinions, cause you gonna lose viewership, you gonna lose a lot of n***as. You changed journalism in the new age. Nobody buys tangible magazines and newspapers anymore.”
“It’s all digital media, and you’re No. 1 outlet and when I go to your page, it’s nothing but drama,” Rocky continued. “You used to post sh*t you thought was fire, on some Tumblr sh*t. Now, you getting so political that we know that n***a gave you five bands to post it.”
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