Rapper Kanye West has sparked outrage and criticism for wearing a black hood resembling the Ku Klux Klan's signature attire at his album launch party with Ty Dolla $ign in Miami on Tuesday (December 12).
The controversial hood, which West also wore in his 2013 video for "Black Skinhead", was slammed by Black Lives Matter and the National Civic League as a disrespectful and harmful gesture that trivializes the history and impact of the white supremacist group.
A spokesperson for Black Lives Matter told TMZ that West's hood was "repugnant" and urged him to use his influence to support the fight against hate groups and racism in America.
"Hate groups are growing at an alarming rate in America. Of the list of over 1,200 active hate groups in society, the KKK is the largest with hundreds of chapters nationwide, making it larger today than any other point in the group’s long history," the spokesperson said.
"The primary goal of [Black Lives Matter] is to expose the prevalence of white supremacist and anti-Black ideals in the U.S., and how those ideals are deeply rooted in its foundation. Recognizing this is the first step toward collective action to eradicate these harmful ideologies."
Doug Linkhart, a representative for the National Civic League, also condemned West's hood as an insult to the victims of the KKK and a violation of American values.
"Any wearing of clothing that evokes the Ku Klux Klan is an affront to not only those who have been targeted by the KKK, but to American values in general," he said.
Linkhart acknowledged that West had the right to wear the hood under the First Amendment, but added that "hate speech and symbols are hurtful and should be condemned, not condoned."
West, who has been known for his erratic and controversial behavior, did not explain the meaning or intention behind his hood. He also wore a White Lives Matter shirt in 2022 and made antisemitic and pro-Hitler remarks in the past.
His latest album with Ty Dolla $ign, titled Vultures, has also been criticized by Jewish groups for its allegedly antisemitic lyrics, such as "How I’m antisemitic? I just fucked a Jewish bitch."
West and Ty Dolla $ign were joined by several other artists at the album launch, including Offset, Lil Durk, Chris Brown, Kodak Black, Freddie Gibbs, and West's daughter, North. Playboi Carti was also expected to attend but was late, according to West.
The album features collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, Charlie Wilson, Young Thug, Freddie Gibbs, Kodak Black, and Bad Bunny. It was livestreamed online and described as a "rave" by West.
