Kanye West has once again found himself at the center of controversy, this time for making bizarre accusations about musician Cardi B. The rapper, known for his outspoken nature, has been no stranger to controversy in recent times.
In 2022, West faced significant backlash for spouting antisemitic rhetoric on Twitter, including a statement in which he claimed he would go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.” These remarks resulted in his ban from social media platforms and prompted several companies, including Adidas, to sever their ties with him. Adidas cited their intolerance for antisemitism and hate speech as the reasons behind their decision.
West’s initial response to the criticism was defiant, and he doubled down on his remarks, stating that he was “glad he’d crossed a line” before ultimately issuing an apology and asserting that he had made those comments because he recognized their racist nature.
However, recently resurfaced footage from an unreleased 2018 documentary has brought Kanye West’s eccentric comments about Cardi B back into the spotlight. In the video, West, also known as Ye, makes the extraordinary claim that Cardi B’s rise to fame was not due to her own talent but was instead “orchestrated” by a mysterious force—namely, the Illuminati.
He asserted, “Cardi B is a plant by the Illuminati. She don’t write her raps. She just there to sound as ignorant as possible and then make songs like, ‘f**k them and get some money.’”
Even more bizarrely, West alleged that Cardi B was strategically brought in to “replace” Nicki Minaj. He contended that the singer is oblivious to the forces behind her success, stating, “Now she doesn’t know what to do … and she has no idea what the f*** is going on.”
In response to West’s accusations, Cardi B appeared to address the issue by tweeting and subsequently deleting a video of West praising her talents during an interview with Hollywood Unlocked’s Jason Lee.
While Kanye West’s claims about Cardi B may seem outlandish, there are indeed discussions and definitions surrounding the concept of an “industry plant.” Complex, for example, has offered an explanation: “To some, the term applies to artists who are plucked out of obscurity and given a new sound and aesthetic at the direction of their record label, then pushed onto consumers through avenues like playlists and radio.”
Additionally, there’s the consideration of individuals who have connections in the industry or possess financial resources that enable them to attend more auditions or recording sessions. This concept somewhat parallels the notion of “nepo babies,” a term that has been criticized by certain celebrities for its implications.
In light of Kanye West’s history of controversial statements and behavior, his claims about Cardi B, however outlandish they may appear, continue to fuel discussions about the complexities and controversies within the music industry.
