In an unexpected move, Ye (formally known as Kanye West) stirred fresh backlash online after posting “FREE R KELLY” alongside a viral clip of the incarcerated singer delivering a jailhouse birthday serenade—a gesture seen by many as a troubling show of support for the convicted child sex offender.
Ye’s endorsement of his “To The World” collaborator isn’t new. In his chart-topping single “Carnival,” Ye once again ventures into controversial territory, naming R. Kelly and other controversial figures. The track’s lyrics echo a familiar defiance—drawing comparisons between his vilification and that of disgraced artists—hinting at his broader commentary on how society untangles talent from transgression.
Ye’s Defense of Artists Sparks Debate on Accountability
Soon after the video surfaced, Ye was seen playing R. Kelly songs at a closed-door DJ set—an act that deepened public scrutiny over his allegiance. Over the years, he’s drawn backlash for defending both Kelly and Michael Jackson, the latter of whom faced child sex abuse allegations before his death. During a 2019 Sunday Service sermon, Ye addressed how audiences respond to artists’ misconduct, stating, “If we gon’ tear down artists, let’s go ahead and take [Leonardo] da Vinci out the Louvre while we at it. Let’s take down all the art.”
“People want to enjoy the art but are quick to condemn the artist. If we’re going to critique them, should we also erase all the masterpieces from history?” he pondered, suggesting a broader conversation about accountability in the arts.
Amid the controversy, Kim Kardashian—Ye’s wife at the time—stepped in to defend him, framing his remarks as rooted in personal encounters with intense public scrutiny, not as a justification for criminal conduct. She stressed that his words had been misinterpreted, reiterating that “he does not support unacceptable actions.”
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