After legally changing his name from Kanye West to ‘Ye’ back in 2021, the rap mogul is now insisting that the music industry comply with the name change and address him as such.
According to report by TMZ, Kanye’s chief of staff, Milo Yiannopoulos, sent out a strong message to the music industry’s big wings, including streaming services, publishers, and lyric websites, the Grammy-winning artist demands individuals refer to him by his legally adopted name, Ye.
Ye, the Grammy-winner who sees his previous name ‘Kanye West’ as a “slave name” is doing everything possible to get rid of the name and requests that all platforms get used to the new name change.
“Ye is a Black man in America who wants the right to full self-determination just like everyone else,” Milo stated in the letter.
“Ye is one of the most recognizable people in the world, on par with presidents and popes. He didn’t take the decision to change his name, potentially sacrificing some of the immense value captured by the brand “Kanye West,” lightly,” the letter continued.
Read YE’s Full Letter Here
In October 2021, Kanye West made a significant move by officially altering his name to Ye. The acclaimed artist obtained judicial approval to formalize his longtime nickname as his legal identity, a decision steeped in personal significance and years of attachment to the moniker.
During a 2018 conversation with radio host Big Boy, Kanye expressed his affinity for the name Ye, citing its purported prevalence in the Bible. However, it’s worth noting that this assertion, while resonant with Kanye’s beliefs, doesn’t align entirely with factual accuracy.
Kanye’s transition to Ye places him among a cadre of artists who have undergone name transformations throughout their careers. Notable figures such as Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Prince, Bow Wow, and Ke$ha have all made notable shifts in their public personas, each imbued with their own unique motivations and expressions of identity.
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