In a recent interview, musician John Legend shared his observations regarding Kanye West’s troubling behavior since the death of his mother, Donda West, in 2007. Legend was sad especially by the downfall of his friend West. He credited this shift to the death of West’s mother, who died at the age of 58 from coronary artery disease and complications from cosmetic surgery. West’s demeanor and actions are night and day from before the tragedy. This transition not only deepened the impact of grief, it raised discussions about how grief and mental health deeply impact artists.
Kanye West’s relationship with his mother was a deep one, and it permeated his art. He honored her memory by naming two of his albums, Donda (2021) and Donda 2 (2022), along with numerous songs, after her. West wrote passionately from her perspective in the poignant 2014 single “Only One.” This is a deeply affirming track, which calls attention to the undercurrents of their relationship. After Donda West’s passing, there was a noticeable shift in Kanye West’s behavior that many, including Legend, have found concerning.
Kanye West’s last three albums were all titles that included his mother’s name to bring her honor. In 2022, he opened Donda Academy, a Christian private school in Simi Valley, California, to continue honoring her legacy. For all of these tributes, West’s recent actions have come under substantial fire. “It’s terrifying,” Legend said, referring to the rising tide of West’s antisemitic speech and actions in recent months. In February, West made headlines when he praised Adolf Hitler as “fresh” on social media. This week, the Nazi rock musician took to social media to boast that his upcoming song “Heil Hitler” has been blacklisted by digital streaming services.
The dynamic between West and his friend and collaborator John Legend has changed profoundly over the past four years. The two musicians initially connected during the production of Jay-Z’s influential album The Blueprint in 2001 and later collaborated on West’s breakthrough album, The College Dropout, which sold 400,000 copies in its first week. Legend wrote that it was hard to see any precursors to West’s present-day fixations on antisemitism and anti-Blackness. This had been true throughout the course of their previous, deep friendship. Their bond started to change especially after West made the choice to seek political office.
It’s the collateral damage from this ugly and cynical fallout of West’s controversial statements. This rapid decline of his public persona has made it difficult for him to maintain his friendship with Legend. In a 2022 sit-down with The Times, Legend opened up about how his relationship with West has changed since then. He pointed out that their contrasting values and priorities have deeply shaped their relationship, to the point where it hurts their friendship.
The conversation about the relationship between mental health and artistic expression is getting louder. John Legend’s reflections on his friend Kanye West’s transformation serve as a wake up call about how personal trauma and loss can consume us, especially at the intersection of success and celebrity. West’s challenges shed new light on the difficulties that fame often brings. They illustrate the toll an artist can pay when grappling with grief gone unprocessed and mental health challenges.
