John Legend addressed the cause of his and rapper Kanye West’s breakup in an online interview with The New Yorker before the release of his eighth studio album, “Legend.”
The “All of Me” singer clarified that the argument was not started because West backed Donald Trump, saying that his comments had been “mischaracterized.”
What I was trying to explain was that the real reason for the strain in our friendship was that he was really upset with me because I didn’t support him running for President.
He continued by saying that President Joe Biden had his support throughout the election.
Legend simply responded, “I don’t feel that politics should be everything in your relationships, and your connections with people shouldn’t only be determined by who they voted for,” when asked whether political opinions can make or break a friendship.
However, he did remark that one’s beliefs are “indicators” of their character and will unavoidably impact the relationship.
The “Heartless” rapper declared in July 2020 that he will be a candidate in the 2020 US presidential election.
According to reports, the rapper said that Wakanda, the fictitious nation that serves as the setting for the 2018 film “Black Panther,” served as inspiration for his platform.
Politics, according to Legend, is the “single decider” of whether or not he will maintain his friendships, but he also stressed the importance of moral principles and character.
The 2020 presidential election was a much watched event in the United States since incumbent Joe Biden was competing against former president Donald Trump, who was seeking reelection.
Many well-known musicians and artists took the stage to declare their ballots. Legend was the same.
The Trump campaign’s staff was assisting West in his campaign by raising money, collecting signatures on petitions, and “putting him on the ballot,” according to Legend, who expressed his disgust with “how much it was an operation managed by the Trump campaign.”
“There was no way I was going to support it,” she said. “I regarded their activity on his behalf as a transparent con and an attempt to try to syphon Black votes away from Biden.”
Legend also said that, before their disagreement, he had attempted to convince the 45-year-old rapper to change his perspective, but West had none of it and “went the way he went with it,” the singer recalled.
Although Legend acknowledges that he is not precisely adept at persuading those who hold opposing views and that disclosing one’s political stance may alienate some fans, he feels freed by the ability to express his opinions.
“It feels liberating to speak up on the subjects I’m passionate about and for which I stand. I want to live my life as this person.”
