In a recent interview with The Times, John Legend discussed the significant changes he has observed in his former friend, Kanye West, now known as Ye. Reflecting on their early friendship and collaboration, Legend expressed concern over what he described as West's “devolution” since the peak of their professional relationship in the early 2000s.
Legend reminisced about the optimism and creativity that characterized West during their time working together, particularly highlighting how West played a crucial role in launching his career through their collaboration on West’s 2004 album, The College Dropout. He noted that West was passionate and had aspirations not only for himself but also for those around him. However, Legend expressed sadness over West's current trajectory, which he finds shocking and troubling.
The two artists' relationship began to deteriorate following West’s vocal support for Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, culminating in a complete rift after West's unsuccessful presidential run in 2020. Legend remarked on the unexpected nature of West's recent behaviors, including his controversial remarks regarding antisemitism and other social issues.
While Legend stated that he does not have the qualifications to analyze West’s mental state, he speculated that the death of West's mother, Donda, in 2007 marked a turning point in his life, leading to a noticeable decline in his well-being and public persona. Legend also acknowledged the impact West had on his own career, stating that West's success opened doors for him in the music industry after initially facing rejection from various labels.