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Kanye West and the Myth of Cancel Culture
The controversial producer and rapper has a cult of personality so strong that nothing he does — even trivializing slavery — can damage him
Two years ago, Kanye West was asked if he feared of losing his audience in light of recent controversy surrounding comments made about race and politics.
“I’m only … afraid of my daddy, God,” West told L.A. radio host Big Boy. “I done been 15 years. I’m telling you that God is showing you that you can have your own thoughts, bro. I been canceled before there was cancel culture.”
I don’t think God has anything to do with it, but West never really had anything to worry about. As much as people like to complain about cancel culture, West continues to be one of the finest examples of how it’s mostly a figment of folks’ imaginations. He might not have liked the criticism surrounding his thoughts on slavery, allegiance to Donald Trump, or disaster of a presidential campaign, but it never stopped his bottom line.
Last Thursday, an estimated 42,000 fans filled Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium to hear West’s 10th solo studio album, Donda. We have since learned that the version played at the listening session, which featured Travis Scott, Pusha T, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, and Roddy Ricch as well as a reunion with Jay-Z, was just a rough draft. The album was set to be released last Friday, but on Monday, a rep confirmed it will be released on August 6. Until then, “Kanye and team have created a studio space, living quarters, and even have a chef to prepare his meals” inside the stadium.
Since the event, West has been spotted walking around the premises still dressed as a cross between Eddie Murphy on Raw and The Phantom of the Opera, but he is likely fully aware that whenever he does release the final product, it’s sure to be widely successful based on demand. According to TMZ, the Donda listening session broke the Apple Music Global Livestream record with 3.3 million viewers.
I thought to wait to hear the album myself before weighing in, but that’s rooted in the idea that maybe, just maybe, Kanye would try to redeem himself for some of his more off-putting comments in recent years. But I have to learn to let go of…
