In the social media madness that ensued following Kanye West’s controversial interview with TMZ Live on Tuesday (May 1), ‘Ye again took to his favorite form of communication — Twitter — to defend his comment that 400 years of slavery was a “choice.”
“We need to have open discussions and ideas on unsettled pain,” he began. “to make myself clear. Of course I know that slaves did not get shackled and put on a boat by free will.”
“My point is for us to have stayed in that position even though the numbers were on our side means that we were mentally enslaved,” he continued. “Kanye vs. the media is modern day Willie [Lynch] theory.”
Kanye is referring to purported Virginia slave owner Willie Lynch. In 1712, Lynch gave a speech about the control of slaves. During the speech, Lynch tells other slave masters he’s discovered how to control black slaves by pitting them against one another.
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Ye added, “they hung the most powerful in order to force fear into the others. they can no longer stop our voice. the Nat Turner movie never made it anywhere because it showed slaves revolting. I understand why my god brother Puff calls his network revolt.”
Yeezy then pushed his agenda of free thinking.
“the reason why I brought up the 400 years point is because we can’t be mentally imprisoned for another 400 years,” he wrote. “We need free thought now. Even the statement was an example of free thought. It was just an idea.”
He added, “once again I am being attacked for presenting new ideas.”
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In two other tweets, West shared a screenshot of a phone call with J. Cole — who reminded people “These are our heroes” last week — and posted a text message exchange with GOOD Music rapper Big Sean.
Sean, who signed with ‘Ye in 2007, sent him some encouraging words after seeing West’s interview with Charlamagne Tha God, which also came out on Tuesday.
“You n Charlemagne floated, interview all GEMS!” Sean wrote. “I felt a shift after I watched it! Made me call my family cause you’re right, that is a currency that priceless. GOOD ENERGY, needed that. Only love!”
West responded, “I love you bro. Sorry for not checking in,” to which Sean said, “All good! Nothing but love. I realize it’s not time for anything but that.”
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Yeezy captioned the Cole post with “we got love.”[apple_news_ad type=”any”]
But not all of ‘Ye’s peers were rejoicing. T.I., who recently teamed up with Kanye for “Ye Vs. The People,” was left confused after seeing ‘Ye’s comments on TMZ Live.
“Yoooo WTF bro!?!?!?!,” Tip wrote. “I’m scratching my head like a muuuufucka now cuzz!!!”
Revisit Tip’s interview with Hot 97 below, where he talks about his meeting with ‘Ye.
