Why Do People Hate Kanye West?

Kanye West is one of the most famous and influential rappers and musicians of the 21st century. He has won 21 Grammy Awards, sold over 140 million records worldwide, and is regarded as one of the greatest artists of his generation. However, despite his immense success and talent, Kanye has become an extremely controversial and polarizing public figure over the years.

He is often in the news for his outrageous statements, odd behavior, and huge ego. This has led many people to strongly dislike or even hate Kanye West. But why exactly do so many folks have such strong negative feelings towards him? There are several key reasons.

His Ego and Arrogance

One of the main reasons why people hate Kanye is that he comes across as extremely arrogant and egotistical. He has famously proclaimed himself to be the “greatest living rock star on the planet” and has compared himself to the likes of Jesus, Picasso, and other iconic historical figures. Kanye seems to constantly boast about his wealth, accomplishments, and overall greatness. This rubs many people the wrong way and makes him an unlikable figure in pop culture.

Examples of His Ego

• Calling himself a “creative genius” and “the greatest artist of all time”
• Saying he is “Shakespeare in the flesh” and the next Nelson Mandela
• Comparing himself to Walt Disney, Henry Ford, and other visionaries

How His Ego Alienates People

• Comes across as narcissistic and self-obsessed
• Seems to lack humility and self-awareness
• Leaves a bad impression that he thinks he is better than everyone else

Kanye’s over-the-top ego and self-aggrandizement make him an annoying and off-putting personality to many. He seems to exist in his own reality where he believes himself to be the greatest thing to ever happen in music and pop culture. This level of extreme arrogance rubs people the wrong way.

His Outrageous Statements and Behavior

In addition to his ego, Kanye has also angered and outraged people over the years with his ridiculous statements and headline-grabbing antics. He frequently makes wild claims and pronouncements that come across as completely absurd. Kanye has compared paparazzi to terrorists, accused past presidents of not caring about Black people, and interrupted Taylor Swift on stage at the 2009 VMAs, to name just a few examples.

His Controversial Moments

• Interrupting Taylor Swift at 2009 VMAs to say Beyonce should have won
• Saying George Bush “doesn’t care about Black people” after Hurricane Katrina
• Comparing paparazzi photographers to terrorists

How This Turns People Against Him

• Comes across as an attention-seeker who wants media spotlight
• Makes him seem crazed, erratic, and not in control of himself
• Leaves a bad taste and rubs people the wrong way

Kanye seems to constantly be stirring up drama with his antics and comments. This leaves many viewing him as an annoying provocateur who is desperate for attention, rather than taking him seriously as an artist. His failure to filter himself also signifies a lack of self-awareness and wisdom.

Perceived Lack of Talent

While Kanye West is immensely successful and influential, some accuse him of not actually being that talented. Critics argue that he does not have an incredible singing voice and relies heavily on the use of autotune, samples, and the talents of featured artists on his songs. Additionally, others claim his lyrics lack depth and substance. This leads some to believe Kanye is not deserving of his success and is overhyped.

Criticisms of His Music

• Heavily samples and relies on features from other artists
• Lyrics seen as shallow or meaningless at times
• Singing voice is mediocre without autotune

Belief He is Overrated

• Success not matched by actual musical ability
• Other artists are more talented singers, musicians, producers
• Seen as undeserving or overhyped by critics

This perception takes away from Kanye’s legitimacy as an acclaimed artist in the eyes of some. It positions him more as a manufactured celebrity who lacks real talent.

His Support of Donald Trump

One of the more recent sources of backlash against Kanye West has been his vocal support of Donald Trump. In 2018, Kanye began praising Trump in interviews and on social media, calling him his “brother” and saying they share “dragon energy.” He even visited Trump at the White House. This upset and alienated many fans who despise Trump, especially those from the Black community.

His Alignment with Trump

• Called Trump his “brother” with similar “dragon energy”
• Bizarrely visited Trump in Oval Office and hugged him
• Wore MAGA hat and repeatedly praised Trump on Twitter

Backlash from Fans

• Seen as betrayal and lack of awareness by Black Americans
• Led many fans to boycott Kanye or declare him “canceled”
• Caused reputation damage and accusations he supports racism/bigotry

Kanye’s embrace of perhaps the most polarizing president ever enraged lots of former fans and supporters. It fundamentally damaged his reputation in the eyes of liberals, minorities, and other demographics.

Perception He Disrespects Women

Another issue that rubs many people the wrong way is the perception that Kanye repeatedly disrespects women. From his lyrics to his relationships with women like Kim Kardashian and Amber Rose, some view Kanye as misogynistic. His over-sexualized lyrics and music videos are seen as exploitative of women. And he has given disturbing interviews where he discusses women in crude, objectifying ways. These factors lead some to believe Kanye contributes to toxic masculinity.

Incidents That Fuel This Perception

• Sexual, objectifying lyrics about women’s bodies
• Music videos portray women as sex objects
• His relationship history and treatment of exes
• Inappropriate comments about women in interviews

View That He Perpetuates Misogyny

• Lyrics and videos degrade and disrespect women’s dignity
• Relationships viewed as him exerting control over women
• Statements seem to reflect dated views on gender roles
• Overall presents women as objects and property

This leads many women and progressives to resent the way Kanye discusses and treats the opposite sex. He is seen as an embodiment of misogyny and chauvinism in hip hop culture.

Key Moments That Turned Opinion Against Him

There are a few major incidents that seemed to permanently tarnish Kanye’s reputation and caused his haters to grow exponentially.

2009 VMA Interruption

This was the infamous event where he stormed the VMA stage and interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech to declare Beyonce should have won. It made him seem like a sore loser bully.

2013 “I Am a God” Song/Yeezus Album

The obnoxious song title and general arrogance of this album cycle cemented his ego image.

2018 Trump/MAGA Embrace

This led to widespread backlash and boycotts from major parts of his fanbase.

Do People Unfairly Hate Him?

While Kanye has certainly given people plenty of reasons to dislike him, some argue the sheer vitriol and bile directed at him goes too far. Defenders note that many rock or pop stars have behaved as badly, or worse, without receiving the same level of hate. His mental health issues may also explain some of his more bizarre behavior. And many critics fail to acknowledge his musical brilliance and status as a visionary artist. So while Kanye often invites criticism, perhaps some reflections about societal double standards are warranted when examining the disproportionate disdain he elicits.

Conclusion

Kanye West is undoubtedly one of the most divisive celebrities of his era. His arrogance, attention-seeking behavior, political views, treatment of women, and other actions have made him an extremely controversial figure. While a topping charts and winning Grammys, his music career has become somewhat overshadowed by his polarizing persona.

However, the extreme vitriol Kanye elicits is also somewhat perplexing, considering the laundry list of other celebrities who have done or said far more objectionable things without becoming cultural pariahs. Regardless, his ego, Trump support, and various PR disasters have made hating on Kanye West somewhat of a national pastime in recent years.

He continues to agitate his detractors by remaining completely true to himself – a habit that has helped fuel both his success as well as his infamy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people say Kanye West has a big ego?

People say Kanye has a big ego because he frequently makes grandiose claims equating himself with historic greats like Jesus, Picasso, and Walt Disney among others. He also boasts about his talents, success, and overall greatness in interviews and lyrics.

What controversial political views has Kanye expressed?

In recent years, Kanye has vocally supported President Donald Trump, calling him a “brother” with similar “dragon energy.” He has worn a MAGA hat, visited the White House, and made controversial comments about slavery sounding like “a choice.”

What incident made Taylor Swift fans dislike Kanye?

At the 2009 VMAs, Kanye stormed the stage as Taylor gave an acceptance speech, grabbing the mic and saying Beyonce should have won. This made him seem like a bully and sore loser in many fans’ eyes.

Why did Kanye’s Yeezus album make people view him negatively?

The album’s abrasive sound and obnoxious songs like “I Am a God” exacerbated Kanye’s reputation as an egomaniac. Lyrics were seen as blasphemous and aggressively self-aggrandizing.

How has Kanye been accused of misogyny and disrespecting women?

Kanye has faced criticism for sexually objectifying lyrics, controversial statements about women, and his treatment of past girlfriends. Many feel his videos and interviews degrade women and perpetuate negative gender stereotypes.