Kanye West recently took out a full page ad in Wall Street Journal where he apologized for his past actions and anti antisemitic behavior.
“It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people,” the rapper said in the note. He also apologized to the Black community, writing, “I am so sorry to have let you down.”
In the letter, he went on to say, “As the situation became increasingly unsustainable, there were times I didn’t want to be here anymore.”
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Now in a new interview with Vanity Fair, Kanye has expanded on his note. While he declined to answer some questions, he did try to assure that his latest apology isn’t a PR move.
Some will say that, regardless of the truth and tragedy of your diagnosis, this apology is a PR move so that you can release music and operate your businesses in the ways that you used to, without the stigma of people thinking you’re antisemitic. What would you say to them?
Kanye: It’s my understanding that I was in the top 10 most listened-to artists overall in the US on Spotify in 2025, and last week and most days as well. My upcoming album, Bully, is currently one of the most anticipated pre-saves of any album on Spotify too. My 2007 album, Graduation, was also the most listened-to and streamed hip-hop album of 2025. This, for me, as evidenced by the letter, isn’t about reviving my commerciality. This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit. I owe a huge apology once again for everything that I said that hurt the Jewish and Black communities in particular. All of it went too far. I look at wreckage of my episode and realize that this isn’t who I am. As a public figure, so many people follow and listen to my every word. It’s important that they realize and understand what side of history that I want to stand on. And that is one of love and positivity.
Beyond your public words and how they influence people, have you treated people in your personal life in any ways you regret? How have you made amends?
Kanye: Every day that I wake up, it’s a checklist of everything that I said—at least what I can recall—while in a bipolar episode. All of the family bonds, deep relationships, and lifelong friendships that I worked so hard to build over so many years were all tarnished by all of the horrible statements that I made so impulsively.
Read full interview here.
