Kanye West, the controversial rapper and fashion mogul, has reportedly changed his name for the second time in recent years, stirring speculation and reactions across the entertainment world.
The latest shift sees the artist, who legally adopted the moniker “Ye” in 2021, now being referred to as “Ye Ye” in newly filed business documents.
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The development emerged from filings submitted by West’s chief financial officer, Hussain Lalani, to the California Secretary of State, where “Ye Ye” is listed as the manager or member of companies including Yeezy Apparel, Yeezy Record Label, and Ox Paha Inc.
This follows West’s initial legal name change from Kanye Omari West to Ye, approved by a Los Angeles judge in October 2021, a move he attributed to “personal reasons” and tied to his belief that “Ye” reflects a biblical term meaning “you,” symbolizing unity and self-reflection.
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West has not publicly confirmed the latest change, but his recent activity on X hints at a continued evolution of his identity. On June 1, he posted, “Ima finally stop using the @kanyewest twitter cause my name is Ye. Gonna start a ye account and it is what it is,” suggesting a deliberate distancing from his birth name.
The shift to “Ye Ye” in business documents, first reported by outlets like The U.S. Sun and E! News, has yet to be officially formalized through a court petition, leaving its legal status unclear under California’s name-change process, which requires public notification and judicial approval.
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The timing coincides with West’s ongoing personal and professional upheavals, including his controversial 2025 release WW3 and a tumultuous relationship with wife Bianca Censori, whom he claimed had left him in a song before later sharing photos suggesting reconciliation.
His recent antisemitic remarks and subsequent expressions of remorse on X have kept him in the spotlight, adding layers to the narrative around this name change.
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Some speculate it could be a branding strategy or a response to public backlash, though no concrete motive has been disclosed.
Reaction on X reflects a mix of confusion and amusement, with fans debating whether “Ye Ye” is a playful reinvention or another eccentric move from the 48-year-old artist.
Posts found on the platform range from support for his creative freedom to skepticism about the practicality of a double-name identity, especially given his past legal and financial entanglements.
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The lack of an official statement from West or his team leaves room for conjecture, with some suggesting it might tie to his ongoing business restructurings, including the relocation of company headquarters to a Melrose Avenue property purchased in 2023.
This isn’t West’s first foray into redefining his public persona—his 2021 name change was preceded by years of using “Ye” as a nickname and album title. However, the addition of a second “Ye” marks a departure, prompting questions about its significance.
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Whether it’s a legal adjustment, a cultural statement, or simply a typo in documentation remains unverified. As the story develops, the hip-hop community and fans alike are watching closely, awaiting clarity from West on this latest chapter in his ever-evolving identity.
