In recent weeks Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has been a very controversial topic on all media platforms. Of those platforms, he has been temporarily banned from three: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Additionally, Adidas ended its seven-year partnership with Ye, calling his recent actions “unacceptable, hateful, and dangerous.” Balenciaga, GAP, and CAA talent agency all cut ties with Ye, as well as MRC production company when they stated they were suspending his documentary.

Ye’s non-accredited private school, Donda Academy, was also closed down for the remainder of the school year.

People across the globe have been confused as to what exactly his actions were, and further what they mean.

This particular instance started on October 3. Ye wore a “White Lives Matter” shirt during his Yeezy fashion show in Paris and dressed several Black models in clothing with the phrase. This was deemed a hate slogan by the Anti-Defamation League and was allegedly linked to the Klu Klux Klan morals.

In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Ye said he displayed the slogan, white lives matter, “because they do.” Ye also made a claim that #BlackLivesMatter was a scam.

On top of that, Ye posted a conversation on Instagram between himself and Sean Combs in which he claimed Combs was “controlled by Jewish people.” He followed that with a tweet in which he said he would go “defcon 3 on Jewish people.”

It was these events that led to his social media bans.

Professionals have also been disturbed by the recent accusations that Ye has an upsetting interest in Hilter. Four sources told CNN that Ye had originally suggested the title “Hitler” for his 2018 album that was eventually released as “Ye.” The sources also claimed Ye’s inner circle was “fully aware” of Hitler being his muse.

However, this is not Ye’s first rodeo when it comes to controversy.

In 2005, after Ye won two Grammys, he proceeded to call out President George Bush for the way he responded to the effects of Hurricane Katrina stating, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people”

Later In 2009, his controversial front continued when he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video at the VMA’s to say he thought Beyonce should have won. Ye received so much backlash from Americans that he exiled himself to Japan, Italy, and then later Hawaii.

Following his period of public backlash, Ye made his return by releasing his coming-of-age album titled “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” Many depict his lyrics as alarming, going even as far as suicidal.

Earlier this year, Ye and Kim Kardashian officially divorced. When Kardashian started seeing comedian Pete Davidson, Ye made it very clear he did not approve across many social media platforms. Hateful posts and screenshots were made, and later to be deleted.

Prior to the divorce, in 2020, Kanye announced he was running for president. At one of his first campaign rallies, he had a public breakdown and shared very personal information that he later had to apologize to Kardashian for.

With these instances, it may also be noted that Ye has a history of mental illness. In 2016, he was professionally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also referred to as manic depression.

Manic episodes often include symptoms such as high energy, lack of sleep, and dissociation from reality. Depressive episodes often include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation, and irritability. Mood episodes can last days or months at a time.

While his diagnosis was later in life, it is speculated to stem from his mother, Donda Williams, death in 2007. When Ye was just 13, Williams paid for his first recording session in a basement studio. Ye credited a lot of his musical career to his mother. He later named two studio albums in attribution to her.

With all of that being said, is the once considered “musical genius” Kanye West racist, antisemitic, and dangerous? Is he just a human being battling the effects of mental illness? Do you still intend on listening to his music and sporting his brands?

As Ye once commented, “Would you believe in what you believe in if you were the only one who believed it?” If anything, he’s willing to stand for what he believes in. But, as a Kanye “stan” or “fan,” you are also free to separate the artist from the art, and ultimately form your own opinions uninfluenced by him, or myself.