Kanye West Denies He Said Slavery Was 'A Choice' In New Interview

This summer, Kanye West did what several people thought was seemingly impossible: He made good on his promise.


During May and June, the G.O.O.D. Music godfather produced albums for Pusha T, himself, Kid Cudi, Nas, and Teyana Taylor. Unfortunately, a fog of hurt, confusion, and resentment from fans still hung over the proceedings soon after Kanye's infamous TMZ statement in May that 400 years of slavery was "a choice." In a new in-depth interview with The New York Times, Kanye states, "I never mentioned that" as soon as asked about the controversial statement and gives more context to the comments he made at the time.


"I mentioned the idea of sitting in something for 400 years sounds — sounds — like a decision to me, I never mentioned it’s a choice," Kanye mentioned. "I never mentioned slavery itself — like being shackled in chains — was a choice. That’s why I went from slave to 400 years to mental prison to this and that. In case you look at the clip you visualize the way my mind works."


As the conversation progresses, the ye artist continued to give context to his comments, nevertheless stated that he wouldn't back down.


"What I would mention is actually it’s literally like I feel like I’m in court having to justify a robbery that I didn’t actually commit, where I’m having to somehow reframe something that I never mentioned. I feel silly to have to mention out loud that I know that being put on the boat was — although also I’m not backing down, bro."


Thankfully, Kanye did take responsibility for allowing his "voice to be used" in a way that he describes as "not protective." Another eye-opening portion of the discussion happened once West shared that he was fearful that his partner, Kim Kardashian, was considering leaving him right following the TMZ incident. West rapped about the moment on ye's "Wouldn't Leave," nevertheless shares how he called members of the family member to be able to see if Kim was done with the marriage.


"There was a moment where I felt like soon after TMZ, maybe a week soon after that, I felt like the energy levels were low," Ye mentioned. "And I called different family member members and was asking, you know, 'Was Kim thinking about leaving me right after TMZ?' So that was a real conversation."


Read Kanye's entire interview at The New York Times.