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S5 E44 | Ye (Part 1)

02:24:54

During his “Drink Champs” interview, Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, doubled down on his thoughts about Black History Month. While drinking and conversing with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, the Donda emcee stated his belief that the annual celebration of African American history and achievements should come to an end.

“Put this on Black Twitter right now: Ye says Black History Month,” he said. “Why? I need a Black Future Month, I need Black Possibility Month. I’m tired of seeing us getting hosed down. I’m tired of talking about slavery and about how we should only be so lucky to vote for a woman we ain’t seen since the election,” he added, throwing shade at Vice President Kamala Harris.

West’s feelings about controversial comments are not surprising to those who have kept up with the entrepreneur’s interviews over the years. In 2020, he shared similar sentiments during his appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience.”

“Most Black people, we don’t know [where we come from]. We think we came from slaves,” he said at the time. “We don’t know our bloodline, and we’re given Black History Month, and we take that like it’s some gift to us. No, it’s a programming to us. Racism doesn’t end until we get to a point where we stop having to put the word ‘Black’ in front of it because it’s like we’re putting the rim a little bit lower for ourselves.”

“We shouldn’t have to have a special box, a special month,” the Chicago native went on. “What they show on Black History Month is us getting hosed down, reminding us that we were slaves. What if we had, Remember When I Cheated on You Month? Remember When You First Found the Text Messages? How does that make you feel? It makes you feel depleted and defeated.”

Ye’s “Drink Champs” interview, which has dominated social media conversations since it dropped, also sees him discussing Verzuz, his ongoing back-and-forth with Drake and his relationships with Big Sean, John Legend, DaBaby and more. Watch the two-hour and a half video above!