Kanye West’s associations with anti-Semitism are reportedly nothing new.
The rapper has come under fire in recent days for making remarks disparaging Jews, leading many of his lucrative business partnerships to quickly end.
But West — who legally changed his name to Ye — has a history with anti-Semitism, according to a CNN report published Thursday.
An unnamed business executive told the outlet that the self-professed “greatest artist that God ever created” once wanted to name an album after Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler.
“He would praise Hitler by saying how incredible it was that he was able to accumulate so much power and would talk about all the great things he and the Nazi Party achieved for the German people,” the source told CNN.
Four other sources corroborated that the Yeezy designer originally suggested the title “Hitler” for his 2018 album, which was eventually named “Ye.”
West allegedly also spoke openly about reading Hitler’s 1925 autobiographical manifesto “Mein Kampf.”
The source, who parted ways with West amid a legal settlement over workplace complaints, including harassment, said his inner circle knew of his “obsession” with Hitler. The 45-year-old father of four also reportedly shared his admiration for the Nazi party and their nefarious use of propaganda.
Earlier this week, Universal Music Group, owner of Island Def Jam Music Group, confirmed that its longtime relationship with West ended last year. The 10-album contract deal was fulfilled with the release of 2021’s “Donda,” named after his late mother.
“There is no place for antisemitism in our society. We are deeply committed to combating antisemitism and every other form of prejudice,” the global music company said in a statement.
On Instagram Thursday, West wrote that he “lost 2 billion dollars in one day,” after German-owned apparel company Adidas and others cut ties with him.
“I’m still alive,” he added in the post. “This is love speech. I still love you. God still loves you. The money is not who I am. The people is who I am.”
