A chat between Piers Morgan and the artist formerly known as Kanye West came to an abrupt end when the rapper walked out of the interview after four and a half combative minutes.
The English tabloid veteran’s plan to confront Ye about his antisemitic social media statements and use of white supremacist imagery went off the rails during a sit-down for the Tuesday episode of Morgan’s YouTube show “Uncensored.”
The tension began before Morgan even got a question in, as Ye took issue with being introduced by the surname “West,” which he called his “slave name.”
From there, the artist seemed resistant to answering even the most benign questions.
Asked how he was doing, Ye, who was being interviewed alongside social media star Sneako from a location in Mallorca, Spain, told Morgan, “I mean, you see that view” and “judge it on the view.”
Morgan’s attempt to pivot didn’t go any better.
“The view is Mallorca, I’ve been there. It’s a beautiful place. For all intents and purposes, you seem very relaxed and happy,” he said. “That is in direct contrast to your public image at the moment, over the last couple of years, led by your ferocious …”
“I already disagree,” Ye interrupted.
“It’s not in contrast,” the rapper continued. “There’s so many people and artists that are championing the idea of someone being able to just express who they really are, and have been able to go through the war of being attacked by the banks, being attacked, you know, by the banks. That’s the best way to put it. Being attacked by the banks, and to still be here with this view is, you know, that’s the win. So I think that’s… I’m in contrast to your contrast.”
As Morgan tried to guide the conversation to Ye’s X account, where he has openly praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and shared videos of himself wearing KKK garb, the rapper got offended by Morgan understating his 33.3 million follower count.
“Now, look, right now you’re not going to take inches off my dick, bro,” he told Morgan, who had mistakenly said Ye had 32 million X followers. “Like, how many followers do I have?”
Though Morgan corrected himself, Ye appeared to have had enough.
“Congratulations, your information is correct … You know, I’m a gift, bro,” he said. “Why do all you people in media act like you haven’t played my songs at your weddings or graduations or at funerals or when your child was born?”
“That nuance right there, it’s idiotic,” Ye continued. “It just shows the hate that you put out for people that put love. There’s so much love and art that I put out.”
Unable to follow, Morgan cut in and asked, “With all due respect, Ye, what are you talking about? I haven’t said anything.”
“OK, now you’re not taking accountability or responsibility,” the rapper replied as Morgan tried to get a word in.
“This is what you get for now, we can circle back when you can count,” Ye added before getting out of his chair and walking off.
You can see the full interview here.
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