Kanye West has shed light on the intentions behind his recent apology in the Wall Street Journal, aiming to demonstrate that it was not a calculated PR move tied to his music career. In a print ad titled “To Those I Hurt,” the rapper, now legally known as Ye, addressed the public, expressing remorse for his past antisemitic statements and behavior, particularly those that offended Black and Jewish communities.
West’s latest apology sparked discussion that it might be a marketing move or a PR stunt ahead of his twelfth studio album, “Bully,” releasing on Friday. However, West insists that it genuinely comes from regret. “This, for me, as evidenced by the letter, isn’t about reviving my commerciality,” he said. West continues that those feelings of remorse were heavy on his heart, and he owes an apology for everything he said that hurt the Jewish and Black communities.
Looking back on how things spiraled, West admitted that he “went too far” and that his past actions don’t reflect who he really is. “As a public figure, so many people follow and listen to my every word. It’s important that they realize and understand what side of history I want to stand on. And that is one of love and positivity,” he told Variety.
Kanye West has had no shortage of headline-making moments, from praising Adolf Hitler on social media to launching swastika-themed merch and taking shots at artists like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and John Legend. His personal life has also kept tabloids busy – from his high-profile divorce from Kim Kardashian to his marriage to Bianca Censor, all unfolding alongside his public battle with bipolar disorder, diagnosed in 2016.
West also points to a brutal 2002 car crash, which left him with a broken jaw, as a turning point in his mental health struggles. The incident fueled manic and psychotic episodes that became even more intense when a medication change at the end of a four-month-long manic phase sent him into a deep depression. With the support of his wife and a stint in rehab in Switzerland, West has found a path back to stability.
