In a recent livestream from Tokyo, Kanye West, now known as Ye, made waves by opening up about his thoughts on industry relationships, his support for former President Donald Trump, and his strained connections with fellow artists and family members. As he continues to work on his upcoming album, WW3, the mogul shared a candid conversation he had with Frank Ocean in the aftermath of Trump’s 2016 election victory—an interaction that has since fueled public tension between the two.
During the session with producer Digital Nas, Ye recounted a visit by Ocean to his home, where the R&B artist attempted to sway him from supporting Trump. According to Ye, Ocean passionately argued against his political stance, but the conversation quickly turned heated. “Frank Ocean came over to my house, going on about Trump and why I shouldn’t support him,” Ye recalled. “What does he even know about politics? Just because you read a couple of books doesn’t mean you can lecture me.”
Ye didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration, further declaring, “None of these artists can match my talent. I am the greatest artist to ever exist. They might excel in a specific area, but that’s all they do.” His comments underscored the tension that has existed between the two, especially following Ye’s outspoken support for Trump, which has alienated some in the entertainment industry.
This isn’t the first time Ye has directed sharp criticisms at Frank Ocean. In an earlier controversial interview with DJ Akademiks, the rapper claimed responsibility for Ocean’s career hiatus following the release of Blonde in 2016. “After I released ‘Moon,’ it essentially ended Frank’s career,” Ye asserted, referring to his collaboration with Kid Cudi and Don Toliver. “He hasn’t put out new music since! I heard his recent work and thought, ‘He’s never going to be able to make another album again.’” Despite Ye’s provocative remarks, Ocean has not publicly responded to the accusations.
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But the criticisms didn’t stop with Ocean. In the same interview, Ye took aim at other prominent figures in the music industry, including JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. The rapper expressed feelings of betrayal, particularly with JAY-Z and Beyoncé. Ye alleged that the couple could have used their considerable influence to support him during difficult personal times, but instead, they appeared focused on other matters. “You could have used your influence to help me during personal struggles, but your focus seems to lie elsewhere,” Ye lamented, adding to the ongoing tension between himself and other hip-hop elites.
One of the more startling revelations from the livestream came when Ye discussed his family life. Reflecting on his relationship with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, Ye admitted that he had doubts about having children with her shortly after they began dating. “I had doubts about having kids with her just a couple of months into our relationship,” he confessed. “But that wasn’t God’s plan.” His words reflect the complexities of his personal life, which have played out in the public eye for years, often fueling his creative and professional decisions.
Despite the explosive nature of his comments, Ye’s remarks provide a glimpse into his current mindset as he works on WW3, an album that is expected to further explore his personal and professional battles. The music mogul’s interactions with other artists and his ongoing struggles with fame, family, and faith have consistently fueled his artistic output, making each of his public statements a point of interest for fans and critics alike.
As for his ongoing feud with Ocean, the future of their relationship remains uncertain. While Ye’s harsh words may have cut deep, it remains to be seen if the two artists will ever reconcile or if their professional paths will remain at odds. Regardless, Ye’s claims about his unmatched talent and his pivotal role in shaping the music industry continue to resonate, reinforcing his belief that he is a figure who stands above his peers.
For now, Ye’s focus remains on his work, with his controversial comments serving as yet another chapter in the saga of his complex public persona. As the release of WW3 approaches, fans and critics alike are waiting to see what Ye will reveal next, both in his music and in his ongoing battle to define his legacy.
