Kanye West was sending out some mixed messages while at The FADER headquarters this week. Rocking his infamous MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat, he was also wearing a white sweatshirt with Colin Kaepernickās name written across the front.
Whether it was intentional remains a mystery. He does explain in a video posted to social media that heās āredesignedā the hat.
āThe elephant in the room is I wear my hat, right?ā he says. āBut itās my hat. I redesigned it. I changed the brim and changed the shape right here. And I put positive energy into that hat.ā
āBut itās my hat, I redesigned it. I changed the brim, I mean I changed the shape right here and I put positive energy into the hat.ā @kanyewest at the @thefader offices this morning.
? @Jasonmpetersonpic.twitter.com/uhYZHb7L5U
ā TeamKanyeDaily (@TeamKanyeDaily) September 27, 2018
Kanye has raised several eyebrows due to his outspoken support of Donald Trump but he says itās nothing more thanāfree thinking.ā But to many, the MAGA is a symbol of racism and hate, while Kaepernickās activism has become a beacon for justice, unity and peace.
After the former San Francisco 49er released his Nike ad, āYe supported his efforts.
āI stand for giving everyone a voice,ā he said. āAdidas giving me a voice and Nike giving Colin voice on a big business level makes the world a more advanced place.ā
I stand for giving everyone a voice. Adidas giving me a voice and Nike giving Colin voice on a big business level makes the world a more advanced place.
ā ye (@kanyewest) September 10, 2018
āYeāsĀ conflicting messages werenāt lost on Twitter users. Many viewed the stunt as a cheap marketing ploy for his upcoming album Yandhiwhile others are convinced he hasnāt left the sunken place.Ā
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Check out some of the reactions below.
Kanye West wearing a MAGA hat and a Colin Kaepernick sweatshirt to the Fader offices to push Yandhi is peak cognitive dissonance and clickbait, but more importantly itās a 0/10 fit
ā ??????? (@broazay) September 27, 2018
I wonder if he thinks this trolling makes people want to buy his music? RT @HipHopWired: Sunken Place MAGA Hat Rocker Kanye West Says New Album Drops Saturday https://t.co/HD75ioj2Pipic.twitter.com/NW5WRE4h9p
ā Beige Boy Bob (@ali_N_pdx) September 27, 2018
Iām dropping an album tonight. Let me wear a MAGA hat and Kaepernick sweatshirt to get people to talk about me- Kanye West Mind
ā Terrence Garrett (@BigTG559) September 27, 2018
Kanye West is the Mr. Magoo of MAGA
ā Iām Gary (@noyokono) September 27, 2018
I dont know if @kanyewest is really sick or becoming the biggest attention whore since his wife! He still rockin the MAGA hat. He a sell out ?
ā Certified Fresh (@DCFresh) September 27, 2018
A @Kaepernick7 sweater with a MAGA hatā¦.. Unbelievable Kanye Westā¦. https://t.co/Hkxp5AuZDR
ā Juan Guerra (@lunchBoxx89) September 27, 2018
Kanye West really rockinā a MAGA hat with a Colin Kaepernick shirt? This dude aināt left the sunken place. He has truly lost itā¦
ā David A. ???? (@DavidAlwaysWins) September 27, 2018
Kanye prolly think heās ābringing people togetherā by wearing a Kaep sweater and a MAGA hatā¦. but nah, Iām not here for it pic.twitter.com/56OGUolNPT
ā Brilliance (@GreatBrilliance) September 27, 2018