Kanye West has once again stirred up controversy after appearing on an interview with DJ Akademiks dressed in an all-black ensemble similar to Ku Klux Klan (KKK) robes, as well as a swastika necklace. The interview, which was teased for weeks, was first hinted at by streamer Adin Ross, who earlier said that West would be dressed in an “all black costume” for the interview.
West’s Outfit and Symbolism
West’s choice of clothing has attracted a lot of backlash, particularly with his recent social media status regarding the KKK, Nazis, and Adolf Hitler. The white hate organization Ku Klux Klan, formed in 1865, is highly infamous for its history of violent racism.The group’s white robes and hoods were created to terrorize while hiding identities while engaging in terror acts. His redressing the outfit in black, with a swastika—a symbol that is most commonly linked to Nazi Germany and antisemitism—has also provoked further outrage.
Throughout the interview, he spoke about several things, including other artists, such as Diddy, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake, and social issues in general.
Take a look:
Kanye West says Drake is a million times better than Kendrick Lamar pic.twitter.com/suw1gcJ7cn
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) March 30, 2025
Selling Swastika T-Shirts During Controversy
The controversy comes after Ye’s recent announcement that he would be selling $20 T-shirts with a swastika on his website, yeezy.com. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the act, interpreting the label on the shirt, “HH-01,” as the initials of “Heil Hitler.” The only product displayed on the website when it was pulled was the T-shirt. He had posted it in a do-it-yourself Super Bowl ad, which provoked more outrage.His X account was suspended after he had made antisemitic comments, and Shopify, which was accepting orders, did not comment.
The release of his interview with DJ Akademiks is only the latest in a long list of controversies to beset West.
