Kanye West debuted his new album, simply titled YE, at his Wyoming retreat, playing the 7-track album for celebrity friends, including G.O.O.D Music’s Pusha T and Big Sean, Nas, Chris Rock, and wife, Kim Kardashian-West.
The group of celebs and select taste makers gathered around bonfires while listening to ‘Ye’s first body of work since 2016’s The Life of Pablo. Chris Rock had the honor of introducing the Chicago native.
“Welcome to the world premiere of the latest opus from the one and only Kanye West entitled YE,” Rock announced.
“Remember this rap music, hip-hop music, is the first art form created by free black men. And no black man has taken more advantage of his freedom than Kanye West,” adding, “Listen without prejudice.”
Rock’s call to “listen without prejudice” is a hard ask for some, as plenty of fans and detractors alike can’t help but think of West’s recent social media rants and claims about slavery. In fact, his current image has become such a turn-off, that many are refusing to further support his music.
Check out these reactions from fans who simply can’t rock with the Louis Vuitton Don anymore.
Kanye’s visit to Trump Tower, his MAGA hat, “slavery was a choice,” his “reclaiming of the Confederate flag” to sell merch, his disrespect of Rhymefest & Donnie…..
Y’all let all that go. For an album released in the middle of nowhere. I don’t ever want to be that kind of Stan.
— April (@ReignOfApril) June 1, 2018
First time since I was 14 years old that I wasn’t excited for a Kanye West album.
— Rory (@thisisrory) June 1, 2018
Don’t be shocked that people are still supporting Kanye. R.Kelly married a child, pissed on another one and made a whole sex tape, and folks are still stepping in the name of love.
— Shanita Hubbard (@msshanitarenee) June 1, 2018
Still, there are plenty of loyal Yeezy fans who can’t wait to hear the album, able to separate his “free thought” arguments from his musical genius.
I’m a fan of Kanye’s music, not his political views. It’s really sad that the vast majority of you have the inability to not assemble the two.
— Asshole Of The Year (@Bdell1014) June 1, 2018
kanye is insane, but this album deserves infinite praise. he knocked it out of the park with this one. it has everything we love from kanye; from the intensity of yeezus to the beauty of late registration pic.twitter.com/0eEj6RA5mf
— erik (@erikyrodriguez) June 1, 2018
