Kanye West Reportedly Wanted To Name Album After Hitler

Topline

Kanye West, also known as Ye, wanted to name his 2018 album after Adolf Hitler and had an “obsession” with the Nazi leader, CNN reported Thursday, citing several anonymous sources who used to be close to West, the latest revelation as the rapper has faced immense fallout for making antisemitic comments.

Kanye West aka Ye is seen wearing a Balenciaga boxing mouthguard, outside Givenchy, during Paris … [+] Fashion Week on October 02, 2022 in Paris, France.

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Key Facts

Four sources told CNN that West wanted to name his 2018 album Hitler, but ultimately went with the name Ye.

A former business executive who worked with West told the outlet that West had an affinity for Hitler and praised the dictator “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 executive said West spoke about having read Hitler’s book Mein Kampf and admired the Nazi leader’s use of propaganda, and that West’s interest in Hitler was well known amongst his inner circle.

The employee ultimately reached a settlement with West, which was viewed by CNN, over workplace complaints which included harassment, and in the agreement West denied the claims against him.

CNN’s report echoes a claim made by former TMZ staffer Van Lathan, who said West publicly praised Hitler during his infamous 2018 rant at the office. A source corroborated Lathan’s claims to CNN.

Forbes has reached out to West for comment.

Forbes Valuation

After Adidas severed ties with West on Tuesday, Forbes estimated he is now worth $400 million, down $2 billion.

Key Background

West has spent the last month making controversial, antisemitic remarks, including claiming that he wanted to go “death con 3 on Jewish people.” As a result, some of his largest corporate collaborators, including Adidas, Gap and Balenciaga, have severed ties with him. In a bizarre statement Wednesday, shoe retailer Skechers said West arrived announced and uninvited to its Los Angeles offices with a film crew in tow, and was escorted off the premises. On Thursday morning, it was reported that the rapper’s private Christian school Donda academy abruptly shuttered for the rest of the school year. In his first public remarks since losing his billionaire status, West called out Ari Emanuel, who was one of the first to call for a boycott of West in response to his comments.

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Forbes Valuation

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