Kanye West knows who he’s voting for, come November 2020. In a new profile with GQ, West appears to stand firm on his support for President Trump and isn’t afraid of the potential criticism he’ll receive based on his decision.
“I’m definitely voting this time. And we know who I’m voting on,” says West. “And I’m not going to be told by the people around me and the people that have their agenda that my career is going to be over. Because guess what: I’m still here! Jesus Is King was No. 1! I was told my career would end if I wasn’t with her. What kind of campaign is that, anyway? That’s like if Obama’s campaign was ‘I’m with black.’ What’s the point of being a celebrity if you can’t have an opinion? Everybody make their own opinion! You know?”
In the latest cover story, West also ruminates on his infamous “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people” line and explains how his approach back then was a form of “victim mentality.”
“George Bush doesn’t care about black people” is a victim statement,” he says. “This white person didn’t do something for us. That is stemmed in victim mentality. Every day I have to look in the mirror like I’m Robert De Niro and tell myself, ‘You are not a slave.’ As outspoken as I am, and the position that I am in, I need to tell myself.”
West even slams critics who trashed his latest album Jesus Is King and says he’s enjoying making the music that satisfies him most. “I’m just focusing on myself. [laughs] You know, music to drive by. Music for me,” he relays. “I actually think Sunday Service is like the Wu-Tang Clan of choirs. “
He adds: “When you first heard Wu-Tang, it sounded completely different. It sounded more aggressive. It even sounded — I think artists are so concerned with perfectionism. All these people say Dark Fantasy was this album that was so good, and then people didn’t like 808s, they didn’t like Yeezus. Dark Fantasy, I just made it to that level because people were saying my career was going to be over. I always felt like “Power” was my weakest first single that I ever had, because I felt like it was bowing to the expectations.”