Kanye West’s ‘Ye’ album addresses slavery rant, mental illness and cheating scandal

At an exclusive listening party last night in the hills of Wyoming, Kanye West dropped his seven-track album surrounded by his wife and closest industry friend

Kia Morgan Smith

Jun 1, 2018

At an exclusive listening party last night in the hills of Wyoming, Kanye West dropped his seven-track album surrounded by his wife and closest industry friends, reports the New York Post.

As for the rest of the world, we had to wait until the wee hours of the morning to hear even more of what has been on West’s mind these last few months, including his controversial remarks on slavery.

“I said slavery’s a choice, they said, ‘How Ye?’/Just imagine if they caught me on a wild day,” he says on one track.

West was joined at the “Ye” album party by 2 Chainz, Pusha T, Nas, Fabolous and Lil Yachty. Chris Rock, who introduced the album to a live-streaming audience, saying:

“Hip-hop is the first art form created by free Black men. No Black man has taken more advantage of his freedom than Kanye West.”

Kim Kardashian-West was also by her husband’s side and made the trip after meeting with President Trump earlier this week to discuss prison reform and the release of 62-year-old, Alice Marie Johnson from prison.

The “Ye” album is said to also address West’s mental health struggles and battle with drug addiction.

Here’s everything else we know so far:

Included in Rock’s introduction was instruction for those in attendance to listen without prejudice and with a completely open mind. Other celebs including Jonah Hill, Big Sean, Nas, 2 Chainz and Pusha T were in attendance at the exclusive event that featured campfires and S’mores.

West apparently goes deep on this album and addresses some of the most intimate details of his life and that of his extended family. While the album reportedly makes no mention of President Donald Trump, it does include some details about the scandalous relationship issues between sister-in-law, Khloe Kardashian and her daughter’s father, Tristan Thompson. “All these thots on Christian Mingle/That’s what almost got Tristan single.”

We’re not quite sure what to make of reports that one track features a bit of a shout out to Russell Simmons and his most recent legal woes after being accused of rape and sexual assault.

“Russell Simmons want to pray for me too/ I pray for him because he got Me Too’d.”

West dedicated the album to his wife but even she was fair game as he rapped about her reaction to his antics:

“Wife calling screaming saying we’re about to lose it all I had to calm her down ‘cos she couldn’t breathe/I told her she could leave me now but she wouldn’t leave…This is what they mean for better or for worse huh?”

He reportedly walked through the crowd with his wife while his ex-manager, Scooter Braun, followed closely behind the couple. Kardashian West, in what seems like a security faux pas (remember Paris?) jumped on social media ahead of their arrival to announce they were on their way.

One line on the album puts everything in place when West spits lyrics that seemingly confirm he suffers from Bipolar Disorder and called the condition a “superpower” saying: “…ain’t no disability, I’m a superhero,” he raps.

“Ye” features Kid Cudi, Ty Dolla Sign, Charlie Wilson and Nicki Minaj. Jury is still out, but we’re guessing the collabs are hella impressive.