Lyor Cohen, former Def Jam Recordings president and current YouTube Global Head of Music, has penned an open letter to Kanye West, condemning the rapper’s continued antisemitic remarks and actions on Twitter and his Yeezy.com website. Cohen, who played a pivotal role in the early days of West’s career, urged him to reconsider his messaging and acknowledge the harm it causes.
Def Jam is Kanye’s former label until he left in 2022.
In his letter, Cohen directly addresses West’s use of Nazi symbols and hate speech, stating, “Your words and actions are not only offensive but triggering to all decent people who recognize the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of millions.”
West, who was recently dropped by his talent agency, 33&West, has faced ongoing backlash for his inflammatory statements. His latest controversy includes selling T-shirts featuring a swastika and airing a Super Bowl ad promoting their sale. Despite this, his music and videos remain accessible on streaming platforms, including YouTube.
On Tuesday his Yeezy.com e-commerce website was removed from Shopify for violating their terms of service although Shopify representatives did not state which terms were violated.
Cohen reminded West of the long-standing relationship between Jewish and Black communities, particularly within the music industry, and called on him to use his influence for unity rather than division. “Your talent and reach could be used to heal and inspire, to bridge divides and promote understanding,” Cohen wrote.
Cohen’s letter below:
Dear Kanye,
I am deeply disappointed and troubled by your recent actions involving the use of Nazi symbols and antisemitic rhetoric. Your words and actions are not only offensive but triggering to all decent people who recognize the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of millions.
With antisemitism on the rise, your voice and influence carry a significant responsibility. I urge you to be more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate.
Your talent and reach could be used to heal and inspire, to bridge divides and promote understanding. Instead, you’ve chosen a path that sows discord and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
The Jewish and Black experiences share a rich history of collaboration and mutual support, particularly in the music industry. From the early days of jazz and blues to the groundbreaking work of Motown and beyond, our communities have enriched each other through music and culture.
I urge you to reflect on this shared legacy and use your platform to build upon the love and understanding that have always existed between our communities.
Sincerely,
Lyor
