(CNN) –– Several people who were once close to the rapper who used to go by the name Kanye West told CNN that the artist has long been fascinated by Adolf Hitler. To the point, they pointed out, that he once wanted to name an album after the Nazi leader.
A business executive who worked for West told CNN the singer created a hostile work environment, in part because of his “obsession” with Hitler.
“He was praising Hitler saying how incredible it was that he had amassed so much power and talking about all the great things he (Hitler) and the Nazi Party accomplished for the German people,” the man told CNN.
The executive stepped down and settled with West — now called Ye — and some of his companies over labor complaints, including harassment, which CNN reviewed. This source asked not to be identified due to a confidentiality agreement and fears that West could retaliate. Under the agreement, West denied the business executive’s allegations.
The executive also told CNN that West was open about reading my fight Hitler’s 1925 autobiographical manifesto. He added that the artist expressed “admiration” for the Nazis and Hitler because of their use of propaganda.
This person claimed that members of West’s inner circle were “fully aware” of his interest in Hitler. Four sources told CNN that West originally suggested the title “Hitler” for his 2018 album, which was eventually released under the name “Ye.” The sources declined to be named, citing concerns of professional retaliation.
CNN has reached out to West for comment.
A spokesman for Universal Music Group, the parent company of West’s former music label Def Jam, declined to comment.
Sources CNN spoke with had no information as to why the album was ultimately called “Ye.”
Van Lathan Jr. — the former TMZ employee who confronted West in 2018 when the rapper said in an interview with him that slavery seemed “a choice” — claimed in a recent podcast that West had also made anti-Semitic comments during their conversation, which the outlet decided not to disclose publicly. So, Lathan said, he wasn’t surprised by the rapper’s current statements.
“I’ve heard him say that before on TMZ,” Lathan said on an episode of the “Higher Learning” podcast earlier this month. “I mean, it took me by surprise because that kind of anti-Semitic speech is disgusting. It’s like, I’m surprised every time someone does that, right? But as far as [a West], I knew that was in him because when he came to TMZ, he said those things and they took them out of the interview… He said something like, ‘I love Hitler, I love Nazis.’ Something like when he was there. And they took him out of the interview for whatever reason he was. It wasn’t my decision,” he added.
Kanye West at the TMZ offices, in 2018. (Credit: TMZ)
One of the sources who spoke to CNN and was present for the TMZ interview said that West had indeed referred favorably to Hitler.
CNN has reached out to TMZ for comment.
The revelation of West’s alleged admiration history for Hitler comes amid a wave of provocative actions the singer has taken since earlier this month. West wore a T-shirt that read “White Lives Matter” during his Yeezy show in Paris on October 3. In addition, he dressed several black models with clothes that had that same phrase, considered a hate slogan by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL, for its acronym in English). Afterward, West posted on Instagram a private text conversation between himself and Sean “Diddy” Combs in which he claimed that Combs was “controlled by Jews.” That was followed by a tweet in which the rapper wrote that he would do a “death with 3 [sic] about the JEWISH PEOPLE”. And, for this reason, Twitter blocked his account.
West’s offensive rhetoric over the past few weeks has cost him several professional consequences. On Tuesday, Adidas ended its seven-year partnership with the rapper, calling his recent actions “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous.”
In a statement, the sportswear company said it “does not tolerate anti-Semitism or any other type of hate speech.” He added that West’s recent comments violated the company’s “values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”
Balenciaga has also cut ties with West, as has the CAA talent agency. Production company MRC stated that they were shelving a documentary about West, and GAP announced that it would be removing Yeezy Gap merchandise from its stores and shutting down the YeezyGap.com website.
On Thursday, in an Instagram post titled “LOVE SPEECH,” West appeared to refer to the suspended business relationships. He as he wrote, in part, “I LOST 2,000 MILLION DOLLARS IN ONE DAY AND I AM STILL ALIVE”.
West was also referenced on banners by anti-Semitic protesters in Los Angeles last weekend. His comments have been condemned by the American Jewish Committee and the ADL, as well as numerous political leaders and celebrities, including his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian.
CNN’s Megan Thomas contributed to this story.
