Chance the Rapper rejects Trump's praise, apologizes for Kanye West tweets
Chance the Rapper wants President Trump to keep his thanks. The rapper ruffled feathers when he defended Kanye West amid Wednesday’s wide-ranging, pro-MAGA tweetstorm from Kanye.
Talked to him two days ago. He’s in a great space and not affected by folk tryna question his mental or physical health. Same Ye from the Vmas, same Ye from the telethon. https://t.co/2zY3KpllV2
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 25, 2018
Black people don’t have to be democrats.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 25, 2018
Chance faced backlash for the tweets, although he did get a nod of approval from the president on Friday.
Kanye West has performed a great service to the Black Community – Big things are happening and eyes are being opened for the first time in Decades – Legacy Stuff! Thank you also to Chance and Dr. Darrell Scott, they really get it (lowest Black & Hispanic unemployment in history).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018
Trump’s shout-out clearly didn’t sit well with Chance, who replied to the tweet.
Nah that aint it yo https://t.co/hqA1NYGxE2
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 27, 2018
Chance took it one step further, posting a lengthy statement on Twitter explaining why he inserted himself into West’s tweets in the first place. He also apologized.
“Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about my city and my loved ones. Kanye West is not just a mentor or big homie to me. He’s my family. No matter how much I may disagree with him, it’s hard for me to watch people talk about someone I love — even if they were justified in doing so,” he begins. “I didn’t speak up because I agree with what Kanye had to say or cause I f*** with trump, I did it because I wanted to help my friend and cause I felt like I was being used to attack him. Unfortunately, my attempt to support Kanye is being used to discredit my brothers and sisters in the movement and I can’t sit by and let that happen either.”
West, 40, and Chance, 25, are from Chicago and have been friends for years.
“I’d never support anyone who has made a career out of hatred, racism and discrimination. I’d never support someone who’d talk about Chicago as if it’s hell on earth and then take steps to make life harder here for the most disenfranchised among us,” he says. “I understand why people are disappointed with my words, but I was raised to believe actions speak louder than words. So let my apology be seen in my future works, and let me make up for my poorly timed comments with immediate action and advocacy for those who need it most.”
Trump has called Chicago a “war zone” and a “total disaster.”
“My statement about black folk not having to be democrats (though true) was a deflection from the real conversation and stemmed from a personal issue with the fact that Chicago has had generations of democratic officials with no investment or regard for black schools, neighborhood or black lives. But again, said that s*** at the wrongest [sic] time,” Chance says. “We have to talk honestly about what is happening and has been happening in the country and we have to challenge those who are responsible, as well as those who are giving them a pass. If that happens to include someone I love, someone who is my brother-in-Christ and someone who I believe does really want to do what is right, it’s not my job to defend or protect him. It’s my job [to] pick up the phone and talk to him about it.”
Picking up the phone is exactly what John Legend did — he also took issue with West’s tweets. (We know that because Kim Kardashian’s husband tweeted out their conversation.)
Yeezy has yet to address Chance’s statement, but since he’s all about love right now, it’s probably all good.
spread love. Put more love into the universe.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 26, 2018
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