Kanye West compared himself to Hitler and Jesus Christ, and declared himself on his “Farrakhan Don shit” during a troubling yet very characteristic outburst that was live-streamed during his Vultures album event in Las Vegas last night.
YesJulz captured video of the rant on Instagram, which was later widely shared on social media. West targeted various perceived adversaries and former friends, including Drake, Jay-Z, and Adidas. He also continued his antisemitic remarks from last year, criticizing “Jewish n****s” who dismiss these outbursts as “episodes,” and at one point claimed that “Zionists” control hospitals and private schools.
“Who make the hospitals, though?” West said. “These are Zionists, n***a. This is what I’m trying to tell you. Jesus Christ, Hitler, Ye — third party, sponsor that, n***a. Bring your sponsorships to that.”
West also expressed his resentment at being seemingly blacklisted last year after his antisemitic comments led him to lose several creative and business partnerships. He specifically called out Hollywood super agent Ari Emmanuel for leading the charge, and vented his frustrations at Kering luxury group head François Pinault, Balenciaga creative director Demna, and LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault.
“I put up one tweet and then Ari Emanuel put, ‘Oh we gotta drop this n***a and all n***as just watched,” West said. “The only n***a that had the Trump hat. The only n***a that went and got them billions. The only n***a that break through all kinds of ideas in fashion.”
A little while later, he added, “Drake, this is what you been waiting for. Jay-Z, this is what you been waiting for. Adidas, this is what you been waiting for. Kim, this is what you been waiting for.”
In addition to the outburst, West was reportedly still working on his new album, Vultures, during the event in Las Vegas last night. The album was expected to be released on Dec. 15, but has not been released yet. West was also struggling to clear Nicki Minaj’s verse for a song called “New Body,” which she recorded five years ago. He even shared screenshots of their one-sided correspondence.
During a recent Instagram Live, Minaj addressed West’s request and explained her reason for declining it. “Chile, that train has left the station,” she said. “No disrespect in any way. I just put out a brand new album. Why would I put out a song that has been out for three years? Come on guys.”
Pink Friday 2, the latest album from Minaj and a follow-up to her 2010 debut, was released one week ago. The record features collaborations with J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, and more. Minaj and West have not released an official collaboration since they appeared alongside 6ix9ine on “Mama” back in 2019.
In his texts to Minaj, which he shared on both Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), West wrote: “Hi it’s Ye, may I call you about clearing new body on the new album.” In the screenshot, taken from the rapper’s iPhone, the message was delivered in that iPhone-to-Android green text bubble. In the replies across platforms, fans joked that Minaj — an avid iPhone user — must have him blocked, or he must have the wrong phone number.
West has been hosting events in anticipation of Vultures, his first musical release since his antisemitic remarks last year. Earlier this week, the rapper brought the listening event to Miami where he screened a version of “New Body” that only featured himself and Ty Dolla $ign.
This story was updated at 12:20 p.m. ET with details about West’s rant at the Vultures album event.