Photo Credit: YouTube Music Blog (Lyor Cohen & Mane Yousuf)
YouTube’s Head of Global Music Lyor Cohen has penned an open letter to Kanye West. The letter asks the rapper to be “more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and those who stand against hate.” Cohen worked closely with West when he was the CEO of Def Jam Recordings.
Kanye West’s belligerent antisemitic behavior has escalated in the last few weeks. Following his appearance at the Grammys with his ‘naked’ wife, the rapper went on a hate-filled screed on X/Twitter on February 7. During Super Bowl weekend, he purchased advertising in some markets directing users to Yeezy.com to buy merch. Available on the website was a white t-shirt featuring a black swastika.
The rapper is also being sued by a former staffer who alleges she was subjected to verbal abuse while under his employ. Text messages from the lawsuit show West praised Hitler in text messages and told her, “welcome to the first day of working for Hitler.”
West’s new talent agency 33 & West dropped the rapper yesterday, just nine months after signing him. Shopify also took action against the Yeezy.com merch shop, removing it after the white t-shirt was the only piece of merch available to purchase. Here’s the full letter penned by Lyor Cohen to the rapper.
Dear Kanye,
I am deeply disappointed and troubled by your recent actions involving the use of Nazi symbols and antisemitic rhetoric. Your words and actions are not only offensive but triggering to all decent people who recognize the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of millions.
With antisemitism on the rise, your voice and influence carry a significant responsibility. I urge you to be more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate.
Your talent and reach could be used to heal and inspire, to bridge divides and promote understanding. Instead, you’ve chosen a path that sows discord and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
The Jewish and Black experiences share a rich history of collaboration and mutual support, particularly in the music industry. From the early days of jazz and blues to the groundbreaking work of Motown and beyond, our communities have enriched each other through music and culture.
I urge you to reflect on this shared legacy and use your platform to build upon the love and understanding that have always existed between our communities.
Sincerely,
Lyor
