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Grammy-winning artist John Legend recently opened up about his former collaborator Kanye West, reflecting on the rapper and producer’s transformation over the past two decades as both “sad” and “sometimes shocking.”
In a candid interview, Legend reminisced about their early creative partnership while working on his debut album, Get Lifted, released in 2004. West served as the executive producer on the record, collaborating with Dave Tozer, will.i.am, and Devo Springsteen.
Released under West’s GOOD Music label, Get Lifted sold over three million copies, earned three Grammy Awards, and propelled Legend to stardom. At the time, West was also achieving great success with his debut album, The College Dropout, solidifying his reputation as a visionary artist with a unique voice.
Legend described West during that era as “passionate, gifted, and full of optimism,” adding, “He had big dreams for himself and the people around him.” However, he acknowledged the stark contrast between the Kanye he once knew and the figure seen in recent years. “It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now,” Legend shared.
In recent years, West has faced widespread criticism for inflammatory public statements and controversial actions. His behavior has included wearing a black Ku Klux Klan hood in public, selling merchandise featuring swastika logos, and making offensive remarks that led to bans from social media platforms.
“I didn’t see a hint of what we’re seeing now—his obsessions with antisemitism, anti-Blackness—and it is sad to see his devolution,” Legend said.
Legend also suggested that the death of West’s mother, Donda West, in 2007 may have marked a turning point in his behavior. “I don’t think we’re qualified to psychoanalyze him, but after his mother passed in 2007, there was definitely a difference. His descent started then and seems to have accelerated recently,” he added.
