Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kanye West

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

Kanye West, now known as Ye, is a highly influential American rapper, singer, and record producer celebrated for his innovative musical style and often controversial public persona. He gained prominence as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, contributing to significant albums like Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint' before launching his own successful recording career. His debut album, 'The College Dropout' (2004), garnered critical acclaim and featured the chart-topping single "Slow Jamz". He went on to have multiple number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including "Gold Digger," "Stronger," "E.T.," and "Carnival," solidifying his impact on popular music.

Sections (6)

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

2005: Criticized George Bush's Response to Hurricane Katrina

In 2005, Kanye West criticized both the media and the government's racial disparities in their response to Hurricane Katrina, stating on live television that "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 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards during his performance as a support act for U2's Vertigo concert in Brisbane.

December 2006: Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West

In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued Kanye West for trademark infringement related to the rapper's name and likeness usage in the "Touch the Sky" music video. Knievel objected to the video's content and portrayal of "Evel Kanyevel," claiming it damaged his reputation.

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September 2007: Saturday Night Live Spoof

In September 2007, Kanye West spoofed his 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards outburst on the 33rd-season premiere of Saturday Night Live.

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November 2007: Knievel Settles Lawsuit Amicably

In November 2007, days before his death, Robert "Evel" Knievel amicably settled his lawsuit against Kanye West after West visited him and seemingly resolved the dispute. Knievel described West as a "wonderful guy and quite a gentleman."

2009: MTV Video Music Awards Incident

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

November 2010: Recanting Apologies

In November 2010, Kanye West seemed to recant his past apologies for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards incident, describing his actions as "selfless".

2010: Apologized for Bush Comment

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

2013: Voiced Opposition to Abortion

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

2014: Sentenced for Misdemeanor Battery

In 2014, Kanye West was sentenced to two years' probation for misdemeanor battery after an altercation with a paparazzo at Los Angeles Airport. The sentence included anger management sessions, community service, and restitution to the photographer.

2015: Civil Lawsuit Settled

In 2015, a separate civil lawsuit brought by the paparazzo involved in the 2014 altercation with Kanye West was settled a week before it was due for trial.

June 2016: Release of Champions and Controversial Famous Video

In June 2016, Kanye West released "Champions," the lead single from the GOOD Music album Cruel Winter, and a controversial music video for "Famous" featuring wax figures of celebrities sleeping nude in a shared bed.

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February 2017: Deletion of Tweets about Trump

In February 2017, Kanye West deleted all his tweets about Donald Trump, reportedly disliking the new president's policies, particularly the travel ban.

2018: Commented on Slavery

In 2018, Kanye West stated that the 400-year enslavement of Africans "sounds like a choice", later clarifying his comment was in reference to mental enslavement.

July 4, 2020: Announced Presidential Run on Twitter

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

July 15, 2020: Filed Paperwork with Federal Election Commission

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

July 2020: Expressed Ignorance on Taxes and Foreign Policy

In July 2020, Kanye West told Forbes that he was not knowledgeable about issues such as taxes and foreign policy during his presidential campaign.

July 2020: Revealed Consideration of Abortion

In July 2020, during a presidential campaign rally, Kanye West revealed that he had previously considered abortion during Kim Kardashian's first pregnancy but has since adopted anti-abortion views.

November 4, 2020: Conceded Presidential Election on Twitter

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

2020: Independent Presidential Campaign

In 2020, Kanye West ran an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign in the United States.

January 4, 2021: Publicist Pressured Georgia Election Worker

On January 4, 2021, a publicist linked to Kanye West allegedly pressured a Georgia election worker to confess to false charges of election tampering to support Donald Trump's claims of election interference.

August 29, 2021: Release of Donda

After multiple delays and listening parties at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Kanye West's album Donda was released on August 29, 2021. West claimed the album was released early without his approval and that Universal had altered the tracklist.

December 2021: Presidential Campaign Received Millions from Republican Operatives

In December 2021, it was reported that Kanye West's presidential campaign had received millions of dollars in services from a secret network of Republican operatives, with payments not properly reported, potentially to conceal connections.

January 2022: Confirmed Dating Julia Fox

In January 2022, actress Julia Fox confirmed in an Interview essay that she was dating Kanye West. West also publicly lashed out at Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend, Pete Davidson.

June 29, 2022: Copyright Infringement Complaint Filed

On June 29, 2022, a complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in New York claiming copyright infringement due to 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: Lawsuit from David Casavant Archive

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

October 2022: Estimated Net Worth Dropped to $400 Million

In October 2022, Forbes estimated Kanye West's net worth had dropped to $400 million, largely due to Adidas's termination of their partnership following his antisemitic statements.

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

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

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2022: Deemed Abortion "Genocide and Population Control" of Black People

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

2022: Made Antisemitic Statements

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

2022: Antisemitic Views and Condemnation

Starting in 2022, Kanye West drew widespread condemnation for his antisemitic views, leading to lost sponsors and partnerships.

July 2023: Twitter Reversed Account Ban

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

December 2023: Apologized for Antisemitic Remarks, Partially Retracted Statements

In December 2023, Kanye West apologized for his antisemitic remarks in a written statement on Instagram, but in a subsequent interview, he said "[s]ome of the stuff I was saying was true" and that Black people cannot be antisemitic because they "are Jew".

June 29, 2024: Arrival in Moscow and Controversy

On June 29, 2024, Kanye West traveled to Moscow, Russia, to celebrate the 40th birthday of Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy. Following the trip, West was labeled an "enemy of Ukraine".

August 2024: Allegations of Nitrous Oxide Addiction

In August 2024, Kanye West's former Chief of Staff, Milo Yiannopoulos, alleged in an affidavit that West was addicted to nitrous oxide, supplied by dentist Thomas Connelly.

2024: Lawsuits for Wrongful Termination and Sexual Assault

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

February 2025: Antisemitic rant on X and Super Bowl Advertising

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.

April 2025: West claims Censori left him, but they remain together.

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

April 2025: West Claimed Incestuous Relationship with Male Cousin

In April 2025, Kanye West said that he and a male cousin had an incestuous relationship as children, beginning when they attempted reenacting what they saw in gay pornography magazines. West claimed he performed oral sex on his cousin until he was 14.

May 2025: Lawsuit Against Thomas Connelly

In May 2025, Kanye West and Bianca Censori sued dentist Thomas Connelly for "medical malpractice, professional negligence, and related tortious and contractual violations", alleging he contributed to West's increased confusion, mood instability, anxiety, and depression by facilitating his nitrous oxide addiction.