Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kanye West

Public opinion and media debates around Kanye West—discover key moments of controversy.

Kanye Omari West, known as Ye, is a highly influential American rapper and record producer renowned for his innovative musical style and often controversial public persona. He gained prominence as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, contributing to albums like Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint' before launching his own successful recording career with 'The College Dropout' in 2004. This album and subsequent singles, including 'Slow Jamz,' 'Gold Digger,' and 'Stronger,' achieved significant commercial success, solidifying his position as a leading figure in hip-hop and pop culture. Beyond music, West's ventures include fashion and design, though his career is also marked by controversy due to his outspoken views and public behavior.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2005: "George Bush doesn't care about black people"

In a 2005 speech on live television, Kanye West criticized the media and the government's racial disparities in their response to Hurricane Katrina, famously stating, "George Bush doesn't care about black people".

November 7, 2006: Apology for MTV Europe Music Awards outburst

On November 7, 2006, Kanye West publicly apologized for his outburst at the MTV Europe Music Awards during his performance as a support act for U2 in Brisbane.

December 2006: Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West

In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued Kanye West for trademark infringement related to West's video for "Touch the Sky." Knievel claimed the video damaged his reputation and sought monetary damages and an injunction to stop its distribution.

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2009: Interrupted Taylor Swift at MTV Awards

In 2009, Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards to proclaim that Beyoncé deserved the award instead, leading to widespread criticism.

November 2010: Recanted apology for MTV Awards incident

In a November 2010 interview, Kanye West appeared to recant his past apologies for interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, describing his act as "selfless".

2010: Apology for Bush Comment

In 2010, Kanye West apologized for his 2005 comment regarding George Bush, stating he "didn't have the grounds to call [Bush] a racist".

2013: Opposition to Abortion

In 2013, Kanye West voiced his opposition to abortion, citing his belief in the Sixth Commandment.

2014: Sentenced to probation for battery

In 2014, Kanye West was sentenced to two years' probation for a misdemeanor battery conviction after an altercation with a paparazzo at the Los Angeles Airport. He was also required to attend anger management sessions, perform community service, and pay restitution.

June 2016: Release of Champions and Famous Video

In June 2016, Kanye West released "Champions", the lead single from the GOOD Music album Cruel Winter. He also released a controversial video for "Famous" featuring wax figures of various celebrities.

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2018: "Sounds Like A Choice" Controversy

In 2018, Kanye West stated that the 400-year enslavement of Africans "sounds like a choice", later clarifying he was referring to mental enslavement and advocating for free thought. He later apologized for the comment.

July 4, 2020: Presidential Run Announcement

On July 4, 2020, Kanye West announced via Twitter that he would be running in the 2020 presidential election.

July 15, 2020: Presidential Paperwork Filed

On July 15, 2020, official paperwork was filed with the Federal Election Commission for Kanye West, under the "BDY" Party affiliation, amid claims that he was preparing to drop out of the presidential race.

July 2020: Divorce Consideration

In July 2020, Kanye West acknowledged the possibility of Kim Kardashian ending their marriage due to his adoption of anti-abortion views. Later that month, West wrote on Twitter that he had been attempting to divorce Kardashian.

July 2020: Presidential Campaign Details

In July 2020, Kanye West aligned himself with the philosophy of a consistent life ethic and advocated for the creation of a culture of life. In July 2020, West told Forbes that he is ignorant on issues such as taxes and foreign policy.

July 2020: Abortion consideration revelation

In July 2020, during a presidential campaign rally, Kanye West revealed that he had previously considered abortion during Kim Kardashian's first pregnancy.

November 4, 2020: Concession in 2020 presidential election

On November 4, 2020, Kanye West conceded in the 2020 presidential election on Twitter. He received 66,365 votes in the 12 states he had ballot access in, averaging 0.32%.

January 4, 2021: Publicist pressured election worker

According to Reuters, on January 4, 2021, a Kanye West-linked publicist pressured a Georgia election worker to confess to bogus charges of election tampering to assist Trump's claims of election interference.

August 29, 2021: Donda Album Release

On August 29, 2021, Kanye West's album Donda was released after multiple delays. West claimed it was released without his approval and that Universal altered the tracklist.

December 2021: Secret Republican Operatives

In December 2021, The Daily Beast reported that Kanye West's presidential campaign received millions of dollars in services from a secret network of Republican operatives, payments to which the committee did not report.

June 29, 2022: Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Filed

On June 29, 2022, a complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in New York claiming copyright infringement due to the unauthorized use of a sample on Kanye West's song "Flowers". The complaint alleges that West sampled Marshall Jefferson's 1986 house track "Move Your Body" without permission or compensation.

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July 2022: Sued by David Casavant Archive

In July 2022, Kanye West was sued for $416,000 by the fashion rental company, David Casavant Archive. The lawsuit claimed West failed to make payments and return 13 rented clothing pieces.

December 2022: Release of 'Someday We'll All Be Free'

In December 2022, Kanye West released a new song, "Someday We'll All Be Free", on his Instagram account following weeks of controversial antisemitic statements.

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2022: Abortion as Genocide

In 2022, Kanye West deemed abortion "genocide and population control" of black people.

2022: Antisemitic Statements

In late 2022, Kanye West made a series of antisemitic statements, leading to the termination of his collaborations, sponsorships, and partnerships with several companies including Vogue, Universal Music Group, CAA, Balenciaga, Gap, and Adidas.

2022: Condemnation for antisemitic views

Starting in 2022, Kanye West faced widespread condemnation and lost sponsors and partnerships due to his antisemitic views.

July 2023: Twitter ban reversed

In July 2023, Twitter reversed the ban on Kanye West, citing assurances from West that he would not post harmful content.

December 2023: Apology for Antisemitic Remarks

In December 2023, weeks before the release of his upcoming album, Kanye West apologized for his antisemitic remarks in a written statement on Instagram.

June 29, 2024: Visit to Moscow

On June 29, 2024, Kanye West visited Moscow, Russia, to celebrate the 40th birthday of Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy. This visit led to West being labeled an "enemy of Ukraine".

August 2024: Allegations of Nitrous Oxide Addiction

In August 2024, Kanye West's former Chief of Staff Milo Yiannopoulos stated in an affidavit that West was addicted to nitrous oxide. He alleged that dentist Thomas Connelly was supplying the drugs at a cost of $50,000 a month after moving into West's building.

2024: Lawsuits for Wrongful Termination and Sexual Assault

In 2024, Kanye West faced multiple lawsuits. One was for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and breach of contract by a former assistant, which West denied. Additionally, he was sued by a former model for sexual assault and strangulation, who claimed he choked and gagged her during a music video set.

February 2025: Antisemitic rant on X

In February 2025, Kanye West went on an antisemitic rant on X, professing his love for Hitler, and purchased local advertising during Super Bowl LIX which directed viewers to his website, where he was selling a swastika t-shirt. He also defended Sean Combs from sexual abuse allegations.

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April 2025: Claimed Breakup and Reconciliation with Censori

In April 2025, Kanye West claimed in his song "Bianca" that Bianca Censori had left him due to his controversial Twitter comments. However, later that month, he shared a photo indicating they were still together.

April 2025: Incestuous relationship with cousin

In April 2025, Kanye West disclosed having an incestuous relationship with a male cousin that began in childhood and lasted until he was 14 years old.