Ye Responds to Lyor Cohen’s Critique of His Remarks ⚡️

Ye has now responded to a recent open letter from music executive Lyor Cohen, who called on him to appreciate the influence of his platform to “heal and inspire.”

Instead of addressing the specific points raised in the letter from the Def Jam veteran and 300 Entertainment co-founder, Ye’s Instagram post—briefly shared and later deleted—focused on the late Irv Gotti and Cohen’s supposed former romantic interest, Tory Burch. Before his Yeezy store shut down over an attempt to sell swastika t-shirts, he remarked, “You and your entire industry have promoted and profited from songs where Black people glorify killing each other.” “But my t-shirt is the worst thing ever. All of y’all act like girls who refuse to take accountability. It’s a double standard.”

In additional claims, Ye accused Cohen of making threats and extorting him, ultimately stating that Cohen, who has been previously tied to Ye’s controversies, is “too broke to speak to me in the first place.” He concluded the message with “Suuuuck Myyyy Diiiick,” partially aimed at Gotti.

Cohen Reflects on Ye’s Controversial Evolution, from Artistic Vision to Harmful Rhetoric

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cohen, who was part of Def Jam during the rise of The College Dropout, shared his “deep disappointment and concern” regarding Ye’s “use of Nazi symbols and antisemitic rhetoric.” He praised Ye’s creative vision, indicating that his platform could instead be used to “promote understanding” through music. “Instead, you’ve chosen a path that creates discord and sustains harmful stereotypes,” Cohen asserted.

In 2018, a photo of Ye and Cohen came under scrutiny due to their hand gestures, although these claims were eventually proved false. Ye, donning a MAGA hat, marked a pivotal moment in his career. This moment was recently revisited in a documentary celebrating SNL’s 50th anniversary, where his Yandhi-era appearance also showcased the contentious headwear. Currently, Cohen heads YouTube’s global music division, a role he has occupied since 2016.