Overview

• John Legend described Kanye West’s early career as marked by optimism and creativity, contrasting sharply with his current controversial behavior.
• Legend credited West for launching his career by signing him to GOOD Music and providing exposure as a backing singer and keyboard player.
• He pointed to the death of West’s mother, Donda West, in 2007 as a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of West’s personal and professional decline.
• Legend explained their estrangement began after he declined to support West’s 2020 presidential campaign, a decision that upset West.
• He expressed sadness over West’s current rhetoric, which includes antisemitic and anti-Black statements, and noted the damage it has done to West’s reputation.