Prominent hip-hop and RnB figures have come forward to denounce Kanye Wests alliance and public support of Donald Trump.
Last week, Yes conscious (or seemingly unconscious) stream of thought caught the eyes of millions of followers, who happen to be heavily engrossed in hip-hop culture.
As a genre, hip-hops anti-monolithic nature has made it difficult for people to unify under one opinion. Diversification of sound, artistry, and generations have fueled on-going polarized debates within the community. Whether its discussing Biggie vs. 2Pac or whos the best lyricist, hip-hop has always cultivated an environment of free-thinking and expression. But when it comes to Trump, artists have strongly opposed Yes opinions on 45, viewing his statements as both damaging and dangerous.
Janelle Mone, while promoting her album, Dirty Computer, on Hot 97, was prompted by Ebro to give her thoughts on Yes free-thinking philosophy.
KANYE WEST on Twitter
Free thinkers don’t fear retaliation for your thoughts. The traditional thinkers are only using thoughts and words but they are in a mental prison. You are free. You’ve already won. Feel energized. Move in love not fear. Be afraid of nothing.
Although she agrees that people should have the ability to think for themselves, she disagreed with Kanyes approach of conveying a message at the expense of the oppressed.
Janelle Mone, Cindi on Twitter
Quote me https://t.co/vaCYun2Dwv
Over the weekend, more people have come forward with a clear opposition of Kanyes tweets, and its safe to say that the majority of hip-hop and RnB is aligned on this matter.
In Washington D.C. during the 2018 Broccoli City Festival, featured act and Trump opposer Nipsey Hussle not only performed his feature on YGs politically-driven single FDT, he also blasted Kanye wearing his MAGA hat to further show his deep-seated aversion to our current President.
FREEISH on Twitter
Nipsey Hussle shades Kanye West at #BroccoliFest https://t.co/cnFmbhLlmj
And to keep it in Cali, Nipsey wasnt the only prominent West Coast artist to be directly vocal. Tha Dogg Pound artist Daz Dillinger verbally greenlit Kanyes banishment from the West Coast because of his alignment with Trump.
Daz Dillinger Gives Green Light For Crips To “F*ck Up” Kanye West For Trump Support
Daz Dillinger Gives Green Light For Crips To “F*ck Up” Kanye West For Trump Support
Last but not least, one of the elder statesmen and hip-hops respected OG, Questlove wore a Pablo-styled t-shirt that read Kanye Doesnt Care About Black People, mimicking the Chicago artists previous statement against former president George W. Bush.
Karen Civil on Twitter
Spotted: Questlove performed at the Concert for Peace & Justice in Montgomery last night and wore a T-shirt designed by @fwmj that read, “Kanye Doesn’t Care About Black People
What seems to be a disconnect with Kanye is that his ability to exercise free-thinking isn’t what’s being questioned. Hip-hop has always been about that and will continue to be that way. The same way he has the ability to independently think for himself, other artists are given that right too. But like Janelle said, when free-thought pushes a narrative of hatred and division at the expense of the oppressed, that’s a problem that can’t be ignored. Remember, freedom of speech allows for you to speak your mind without censorship, but it doesn’t protect you from the consequences of your own words.
