Kanye West has offered a bizarre explanation after unveiling his offensive new “album cover” on social media.
West, who now goes by Ye, took to X where he shared a picture of a red swastika on a black background, claiming it would be the album art for an upcoming record. Fans were left disgusted by the announcement and the musician, 47, was left scrambling to try and explain the controversial decision.
A post to X reads: “NEW ALBUM COVER.” It is unclear whether this is an official announcement, with West regularly making controversial posts to social media – and some users have suggested this latest stunt shows West is “desperate for attention”.
One post included a screenshot from a viral TikTok, with the caption: “People who be desperate for attention.” Another wrote: “I would pick something that could be legally sold in Europe.”
West has since attempted to defend the use of the symbol in a follow-up post on the social network. He wrote: “WHATS MORE HATEFUL THE CONTENT OR USING THE SWASTIKA SYMBOL THAT ORIGINALLY MEANT WELL BEING.”
The rapper is likely referring to the fact that swastika means ‘well-being’ in the ancient language of Sanskrit. It was used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism before being adopted by the Third Reich in the 1930s and becoming a symbol associated with Nazism and anti-Semitism.
But while the symbol may have had benign origins, this is not the first time West has been mired in political controversy. He was dropped by his talent agency over a series of controversial posts to X deemed anti-Semitic. He went on to put t-shirts with a swastika and the code HH-01 – thought to be code for “Heil Hitler” – on sale on his online shop, causing the platform to be taken down.
West has become a contentious figure in recent years, with clothing brand Adidas cutting ties and selling off their final pairs of Yeezy shoes. The sportswear company had distanced itself from West in 2022 but had a surplus of stock, which has now sold out as of March 5, 2025.
The rapper has fallen into further controversy after posting the song Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine, a collaboration with his daughter North West and Sean “Diddy” Combs. The song also features Diddy’s son, Christian “King” Combs.
The song begins with a voice recording thought to have been Combs’, who is currently being held in a Brooklyn jail while awaiting trial, which will begin on May 12. The recording appears to be a phone call between Ye and Combs, during which the jailed rapper thanks Kanye for his support and for “taking care” of his children.
Sharing the song on X, Kanye wrote: “LONELY ROADS STILL GO TO SUNSHINE new song by PUFF DADDY feat. His son KING COMBS my daughter NORTH WEST and new Yeezy artist from Chicago Jasmine Williams.”
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