Photo Credit: Glenn Francis / CC by 2.0
Nine days back, during the final hours of the Fourth of July, billionaire rapper Kanye West unveiled a 2020 presidential run despite missing key ballot deadlines in several states. Now, artists are reacting to the 43-year-old’s announcement.
For additional background, Kanye West has only outlined his presidential platform since making the aforementioned announcement. Moreover, just one of the Chicagoan’s post-Independence Day tweets – featuring a roughly 90-second-long clip exploring the voter-registration process in Wyoming, where West owns a $14 million ranch and recording studio – has centered on politics.
However, the lack of concrete details hasn’t prevented well-known artists like Katy Perry, Will.i.am, and Chance the Rapper from voicing their opinions of West’s #Vision2020 campaign.
During a recent remote interview with the UK’s Hits Radio, singer Katy Perry struck a balanced tone when speaking of West’s political ambitions, seemingly criticizing the current administration while avoiding challenging Kanye specifically. Perry was among the most vocal music industry supporters of 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
“I think, you know, what we’ve learned looking back,” said Katy Perry, “is that the presidential job is best suited for someone with experience. And that is a pro in their field. And I think we have seen and learned from experience that when we don’t have pros in [the] position, that it can get a little wild.”
Will.i.am adopted a more definitive (and critical) tone of West’s 2020 run, also speaking in an interview. “It’s [the presidential race is] a dangerous thing to be playing with. If you’re not serious, you don’t play with that, especially now,” said the Black Eyed Peas frontman.
However, the music community’s response to the Kanye West 2020 ticket hasn’t been entirely negative. Chance the Rapper has supported West in a cluster of tweets (and several follow-up messages to fans with different opinions) today.
“Are you more pro-Biden or anti-Ye, and why? I get that y’all want to reply that you’re just trying to ‘Get Trump Out’ but in this hypothetical scenario where you’re replacing Trump, can someone explain why Joe Biden would be better?” wrote the 27-year-old Chicago native.
Nearly 15 minutes later, presumably after viewing the many responses directed towards the latter post, Chance elaborated on his position: “I finally got the answer now. I understand. Y’all trust Biden more than y’all trust Ye. I think I understand why, I just don’t feel the same way.”
Also worth noting is that the “Stronger” singer published a tweet showing an image of a conversation between him and The Breakfast Club co-host Charlemagne the God, wherein West asked (and received the green light) to call Charlemagne. Neither individual has indicated whether this dialogue pertained to West’s 2020 presidential run.
Late last night, Kanye West released a new song, “DONDA,” in honor of his deceased mother and her birthday.
Oh yes, let’s follow the wise words of a privileged Hollywood singer like Katy Perry to understand politics. She can blame Trump for everything and return to her gated mansion to drink expensive champaign.
So you’re instead saying we should follow the wise words of a privileged Hollywood singer like Kanye West? More lunacy from your fingertips and disturbed mind.
You do not need experience to serve in office, Katy. Just like you didn’t need experience to sing. In fact, the whole idea of America is not to have experience. To have fresh blood, fresh ideas,, new ideas, Katy, um, sort of like your art was fresh and new, remember?
I mean I guess according to your view, when you came out with your first record, we all should have said, eh? sorry you aren’t Frank Sinatra so you really aren’t qualified to make music. After all, we saw how not having experience worked out before. Sorry, Katy, guess you’ll always be able to wait tables.
As Ron White said: You just can’t fix stupid.
You make so many false statements and assumptions that your last comment would definitely hold true to yourself.
this is literally the most uneducated response i have ever heard in my entire life. singing and running for president are two entirely different things. running a country and having a music career do not share the same responsibilities. go back to school or wherever you came from and educate yourself before making such deplorable comments.
Ignore the comments from Angelito, Al Jolson, restless94110, Dr. Faucibreath and Geronimo. They are all the same person who regularly posts ignorant, racist, sexist, political troll-style comments.