Kanye West Responds To Questions About His Recent Apology

Controversial rapper Kanye West took the time to answer some questions about the apology he wrote that was published in the Wall Street Journal yesterday.

While many accepted it and were glad he took accountability for his antisemitic rants over the years, others were convinced it was a publicity stunt. West replied to some queries sent to him by Vanity Fair, and he discussed how he's working to improve himself.

As previously reported by The Blast, West took an ad out in the Wall Street Journal to write a letter of apology addressed to the people he hurt. In it, he explained sustaining a brain injury from a horrific car accident more than two decades ago.

The "Through the Wire" rapper also touched on his bipolar disorder diagnosis, explaining it as the reason for his erratic behavior and antisemitic statements.

West wrote that he "lost touch with reality" and was convinced that he was "powerful" and "unstoppable," adding that he regretted the things he said and did in the past years. The rapper revealed that he is now "committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change."

As soon as West's apology came out, users shared their reactions on social media, and the majority of them were skeptical. As noted by The Blast, many speculated that the apology was a public relations stunt in preparation for the release of his album.

"Nothing he says or does is sincere. It's always a script for a new album or product he's selling," one user wrote, while another commented, "Crocodile tears (again). He said what he said. He's endorsed Nazi symbolism. He is a bigot."

The 48-year-old rapper, indeed, has an album coming out soon that he talked about last year.

In light of his apology, Vanity Fair reached out to West via email to ask some questions about his letter. As the publication noted, the rapper didn't answer all of the questions they sent, but he did answer a few.

One of the questions was what he would say to the people who are convinced that his apology was a PR stunt. West answered, in part, "This, for me, as evidenced by the letter, isn't about reviving my commerciality. This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing my spirit."

 He then reiterated his apology, specifically to the Jewish and Black communities.

Vanity Fair also asked when he started to regret his words and actions. "Not until I was out of the episode and in treatment did the reality set in of what I did while I was disconnected from my true self," he answered.

As of now, West said that he's trying to find the balance of correct medications for his bipolar disorder so he could "continue down this positive course."

Aside from sending questions to West, Vanity Fair also spoke to two experts, neuropathologist Bennet Omalu and the director of the Center for the Study of Antisemitism at New York University, Dr. Avinoam Patt.

Dr. Omalu explained that it is possible for a frontal lobe injury to cause bipolar disorder, although he didn't speak specifically about West's case. As reported by Psych Central, a traumatic brain injury increases the chances of being diagnosed with mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, by up to 439%.

Dr. Patt, on the other hand, said he's skeptical of West's apology, citing that those who have bipolar disorder don't necessarily rant about antisemitism. "I'm skeptical because we now have a pattern that goes back years of antisemitic rants that reinforce harmful, dangerous stereotypes about Jews," he explained.

West talked about his new album as early as last year. In an appearance on The Download podcast, West compared his latest album to Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" in that it has a positive vibe.

The rapper's upcoming album, titled "Bully," is his twelfth solo album and has 13 tracks, which were revealed in early January. "Bully" is slated for release on January 30 and is available for pre-save on streaming platforms, including Spotify.