Hiphop star Kanye West is demanding that “white publications” no longer write about “black music,” presumably including his own.
The mercurial recording artist, also known as the husband of reality-TV star Kim Kardashian, made the demand Monday evening via Twitter.
“To Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, New York Times, and any other white publication. Please do not comment on black music anymore,” Mr. West wrote.
The demand, made just days after Mr, West released his latest album “The Life of Pablo,” presumably extends to the black writers at those publications.
Ironically, one of the most positive reviews of “Life of Pablo” came from “white publication” Pitchfork, in which Jayson Greene gave it a 9-grade on a 10-point scale, began his review by comparing Mr. West’s career phases to Pablo Picasso, and closed with a biblical verse from St. Paul. Mr, Greene is white.
Apparently a 9 grade was too restrained praise for Mr. West. He also tweeted Monday evening that “Pitchfork, the album is a 30 out of 10.”
For decades black artists have insisted that while their work is historically grounded and rooted, ultimately, in the recent words of Jay-Z, “There is no such thing as black music or white music only good or bad music.”
Mr. West is known for eccentric behavior, most notably interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV video awards, saying “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!”
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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