'I could be President': Kanye West releases new song defending his support for Donald Trump

A composite image of rapper Kanye West and US President Donald Trump

Just days after sparking chaos on Twitter with his support of US President Donald Trump, Grammy Award-winning US rapper Kanye West has released a new song defending his pro-Trump comments.

Key points:

West says he wore a Trump campaign hat to show equality
T.I. argues that West is being "stubborn, selfish, bullheaded"
West trolled his fans by first releasing 'Lift Yourself'

In the new track, West squares off against fellow rapper T.I., claiming Mr Trump's win "proved" that he could be president.

West: "I know Obama was Heaven-sent
But ever since Trump won, it proved that I could be President."
T.I.: "Yeah you can, at what cost though?"

Titled Ye vs The People, West's new song defends his support of Mr Trump, which he showcased on Twitter earlier this week with a picture of himself wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat.

The picture and subsequent follow-up tweets, in which West said he and the President shared "dragon energy", sparked criticism on Twitter with many claiming West was in "the sunken place" — a reference to the award-winning 2017 film Get Out.

External Link: @kanyewest: You don't have to agree with trump but the mob can't make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone. I don't agree with everything anyone does. That's what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought.

In response, Mr Trump thanked West on Twitter, calling the Chicago rapper's comment's "very cool".

Questioning West's support for the President, T.I. argues in the song that Mr Trump is not a good person for him to align with, suggesting he is going against his "teachings" and aiding white supremacy.

West hits back at the claim, suggesting his decision to wear the hat shows "people that we equal."

West: "Bruh, I never ever stopped fightin' for the people,
Actually wearin' the hat'll show people that we equal."
T.I.: "You gotta see the vantage point of the people,
What makes you feel equal makes them feel evil."
West: "See that's the problem with this damn nation,
All Blacks gotta be Democrats, man, we ain't made it off the plantation."

West, who once claimed he would run for the US presidency in 2020, says that just by wearing the hat he gave it a "new direction" and meaning.

West: "I feel an obligation to show people new ideas,
And if you wanna hear 'em, there go two right here,
Make America Great Again had a negative reception,
I took it, wore it, rocked it, gave it a new direction,
Added empathy, care and love and affection,
And y'all simply questionin' my methods."

In his longest verse of the song, T.I. calls West "selfish" and "bull-headed", warning him that he can easily destroy the image and respect he has built up over his career.

A controversial figure throughout his career and known for speaking his mind, West has managed to retain the support of his peers and millions of fans worldwide.

But, T.I. suggests that he may be taking it too far in his recent support of Mr Trump.

T.I.: "What you willin' to lose for the point to be proved?
This shit is stubborn, selfish, bull-headed, even for you,
You wore a dusty ass hat to represent the same views,
As white supremacy, man, we expect better from you,
All them times you sounded crazy, we defended you, homie,
Not just to be let down when we depend on you, homie,
That's why it's important to know what direction you're goin' now,
'Cause everything that you built can be destroyed and torn down."

In a post to Instagram, T.I. said that he hoped his debate with Kanye would help change his opinion.

"Still optimistic something from our discussion going to stick... I refuse to just give up on him," he said.

West took opportunity to troll fans

Before the release of Ye vs. The People, West trolled his fans with the release of Lift Yourself, a song where his sole verse consist only of nonsense phrases like "Poopy-di scoop and "Whoop-di-scoop-di-poop".

He had hyped the track earlier on Twitter, in an obvious troll to those following his recent social media battles.

External Link: @Kanyewest: I'm going to drop a song with a verse that will bring Ebro the closure he's been seeking

The song is based around a sample of the 1973 Amnesty song Liberty, featuring lyrics calling for more liberty and for people to stand up on their own beliefs.

While neither song would be considered a standard release, the two tracks are West's first new music since Life of Pablo in 2016, but he has announced a new album scheduled for release on June 1.

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