Kanye West's Twitter spree — during which he posted a photo of himself wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat — found plenty of the rapper's friends, fans and family members struggling to make sense of the posts. Now, Chance the Rapper clarifying some comments he made about West and his political stance, as well as rejecting some newly delivered praise from U.S. President Donald Trump.
After West had spoken on his political views and shared the pro-Trump photo, Chance had tweeted that he had talked to him two days prior, calling him the "same Ye from the Vmas, same Ye from the telethon." Chance followed that up by writing, "Black people don't have to be democrats," and "next president gon be independent" before seemingly becoming aware of the shitstorm he had kicked off.
Today, Trump expressed his admiration for both West and Chance on Twitter, saying that the former "has performed a great service to the Black Community," while also writing, "thank you also to Chance and Dr. Darrell Scott, they really get it."
Chance rejected Trump's praise and expanded on why he had made his earlier comments in a larger statement posted to Twitter.
"I didn't speak up because I agree with what Kanye had to say or cause I fuck with trump, I did it because I wanted to help my friend and cause I felt like I was being used to attack him," he wrote. "Unfortunately, my attempt to support Kanye is being used to discredit my brothers and sisters in the movement and I can't sit by and let that happen either."
Of Trump, Chance wrote that he would "never support anyone who has made a career out of hatred, racism and discrimination. I'd never support someone who'd talk about Chicago as if it's hell on earth and then take steps to make life harder here for the most disenfranchised among us."
He continued: "My statement about black folk not having to be democrats (though true) was a deflection from the real conversation and stemmed from a personal issue with the fact that Chicago has had generations of democratic officials with no investment or regard for black schools, neighborhood or black lives. But again, said that shit at the wrongest time."
Chance concluded: "We have to talk honestly about what is happening and has been happening in this country and we have to challenge those who are responsible, as well as those who are giving them a pass. If that happens to include someone I love, someone who is my brother-in-Christ and someone who I believe does really want to do what is right, it's not my job to defend or protect him. It's my job to pick up the phone and talk to him about it."
You can find Chance's complete statement below.
After West had spoken on his political views and shared the pro-Trump photo, Chance had tweeted that he had talked to him two days prior, calling him the "same Ye from the Vmas, same Ye from the telethon." Chance followed that up by writing, "Black people don't have to be democrats," and "next president gon be independent" before seemingly becoming aware of the shitstorm he had kicked off.
Today, Trump expressed his admiration for both West and Chance on Twitter, saying that the former "has performed a great service to the Black Community," while also writing, "thank you also to Chance and Dr. Darrell Scott, they really get it."
Chance rejected Trump's praise and expanded on why he had made his earlier comments in a larger statement posted to Twitter.
"I didn't speak up because I agree with what Kanye had to say or cause I fuck with trump, I did it because I wanted to help my friend and cause I felt like I was being used to attack him," he wrote. "Unfortunately, my attempt to support Kanye is being used to discredit my brothers and sisters in the movement and I can't sit by and let that happen either."
Of Trump, Chance wrote that he would "never support anyone who has made a career out of hatred, racism and discrimination. I'd never support someone who'd talk about Chicago as if it's hell on earth and then take steps to make life harder here for the most disenfranchised among us."
He continued: "My statement about black folk not having to be democrats (though true) was a deflection from the real conversation and stemmed from a personal issue with the fact that Chicago has had generations of democratic officials with no investment or regard for black schools, neighborhood or black lives. But again, said that shit at the wrongest time."
Chance concluded: "We have to talk honestly about what is happening and has been happening in this country and we have to challenge those who are responsible, as well as those who are giving them a pass. If that happens to include someone I love, someone who is my brother-in-Christ and someone who I believe does really want to do what is right, it's not my job to defend or protect him. It's my job to pick up the phone and talk to him about it."
You can find Chance's complete statement below.
Kanye West has performed a great service to the Black Community - Big things are happening and eyes are being opened for the first time in Decades - Legacy Stuff! Thank you also to Chance and Dr. Darrell Scott, they really get it (lowest Black & Hispanic unemployment in history).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018
Nah that aint it yo https://t.co/hqA1NYGxE2
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 27, 2018
My fault yo pic.twitter.com/TIWhG8o1ST
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 27, 2018
