Chance the Rapper Says He's Been Silent on Kanye West for 'A Long Time'

The Evolution of a Friendship

Chance the Rapper has long been open about his deep admiration for Kanye West. He often speaks about how West's influence shaped his journey in the music industry. Their relationship, once close and collaborative, has seen its share of challenges over the years. Recently, Chance revealed that he hasn't spoken to West in a while, but he emphasized that this isn't due to any recent controversies surrounding the rapper.

A Shift in Dynamics

During an appearance on the New Rory & Mal Podcast, Chance shared his thoughts on their current dynamic. "I was gonna say honesty is the best policy — I haven’t talked to him in a long time," he said. Despite the distance, he acknowledged West's significant impact on his career. "He was at my wedding, our kids have hung out together."

Chance attributed the lack of communication to their busy schedules rather than any personal conflict. He also chose not to address West’s controversial statements directly. "I’ll always love Kanye, but just being honest, I haven’t talked to him in a while. I feel like I’ve been hella busy. I’m working on s***," he added.

Avoiding the Drama

Despite the distance, Chance made it clear that he doesn't want to be drawn into unnecessary drama. "It’s not like I’m anticipating some conversation, something where it’s like, ‘All right, now it’s my time to fix you and tell your a what you’ve been tweaking on,’” he explained. "No s* like that."

He also mentioned that he doesn't currently have plans to reach out to West. "The way that I think about my world is, I be thinking about my day. So, what I gotta do that day and what I’m working on for the next two weeks, maybe six months."

A Tense Moment in the Studio

A video surfaced showing a tense moment between the two artists in the studio during the making of West's album Donda. In the clip, West is seen yelling at Chance, telling him to "sit his a** down and listen to the album or leave." This incident left a lasting impression on Chance.

"I did come out there to check on my friend," he said, according to NME. "Me and a lot of other people still have love for Ye. But he’s human, he’s not perfect. He was obviously going through it at that time … It made me evaluate my friendship with him, for sure. I had never been so close to him going through an episode."

Reevaluating Loyalty

Despite the tension, Chance maintained his affection for West. "Still, he said he had nothing but love for West." However, he admitted that the experience made him reflect on the nature of their relationship.

Past Support and Apologies

In 2018, West faced backlash after posting a photo of himself wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat signed by Donald Trump. At the time, Chance defended West, stating, "Black people don’t have to be democrats," which sparked a mix of reactions. Trump even thanked Chance for his tweet, prompting him to clarify his stance.

"I’d never support anyone who has made a career out of hatred, racism and discrimination," he wrote. "I’d never support someone who’d talk about Chicago as if it’s hell on earth and then take steps to make life harder here for the most disenfranchised among us."

Political Endorsement

In 2020, Chance took a bold step by endorsing West for president. This move highlighted the complex relationship between the two artists, blending personal loyalty with political conviction.

Looking Ahead

As both artists continue their respective paths, the future of their friendship remains uncertain. While Chance has chosen to focus on his work and personal growth, the bond they once shared continues to shape their individual journeys in the music industry.