John Legend says Kanye West has changed ‘for the worse’
John Legend has said his former collaborator Kanye West has changed “for the worse”, describing the rapper as being “in decline” as he reflected on their early friendship and West’s recent controversies.
Daily Mail reported that Legend, 46, told The Times he no longer recognises the artist he first met in the early 2000s, saying: “It’s sad to see his decline” and adding that the behaviour has become “more intense and more troubling”.
Legend said West was “passionate” and “very gifted” during their initial work together, helping him secure his recording deal and producing his debut album. He said he did not expect the rapper would later become known for “anti-Blackness, anti-Semitism, and the types of things” he has been criticised for in recent years.
The singer also spoke about the impact of personal loss on West’s life, referencing the death of his mother, Donda West, in 2007 and suggesting it was a turning point that may have affected his trajectory. He said he had not kept in contact in recent years and was not sure what had contributed to the changes.
Legend’s comments come amid continuing attention on West’s public statements and online posts, with the rapper and fashion designer facing widespread criticism and professional fallout over remarks that have prompted condemnation across the entertainment industry.
