John Legend Says He & Kanye West Weren't Close, Criticizes His Support Of Trump

BY Erika Marie 9.3K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Kim Kardashian West, Kanye West, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen
It seemed as if the two were great friends at one point.

He was once signed to G.O.O.D. Music and was responsible for singing Kanye West's hooks, but if you ask John Legend, he and Ye were never really that close. West even helped produced Legend's debut hit album Get Lifted that aided in putting the singer on the map, and their families have spent holidays together. However, Kanye's unwavering support of Donald Trump has been a thorn in their rosy relationship, especially considering America's leader has been at odds with Legend's wife, Chrissy Teigen, on social media.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Recently, Legend and Chrissy were highlighted in a lengthy feature for Vanity Fair and during their chat with the publication, Legend spoke about the state of his friendship with the Jesus Is King rapper-producer. "I’m not trying to disown Kanye because I still love him and love everything we’ve done together creatively," Legend said. "But we were never the closest of friends."

Legend added that for as long as he's known Kanye, the rapper was never as into politics as he's recently been. "I think what was always challenging about it was Kanye has never been political," he added. "I don’t think he knows one way or another what policies of Trump’s he likes. He just kind of embraced Trump’s blow-it-all-up spirit and the energy of himself being countercultural in supporting him." Legend also saluted Kim Kardashian West's work with helping inmates gain freedom, "even if the clemency is won through [Trump's] celebrity-whore tendencies."

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 9
Page was generated in 0.072510004043579