Kanye West has hit back at former Def Jam chief Lyor Cohen after he criticized his antisemitic views, invoking the late Irv Gotti in his response.
Cohen, a rap industry titan who is currently Global Head of Music at YouTube, penned an open letter earlier this week condemning Ye for his continued attacks on Jewish people through social media posts and swastika T-shirts that he was selling on his Yeezy website.
“Dear Kanye, I am deeply disappointed and troubled by your recent actions involving the use of Nazi symbols and antisemitic rhetoric,” he addressed the rapper, who signed to Def Jam (via Roc-A-Fella Records) in 2002 when Cohen was a key figure at the label.
“Your words and actions are not only offensive but triggering to all decent people who recognize the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of millions. With antisemitism on the rise, your voice and influence carry a significant responsibility. I urge you to be more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate.”
He continued: “Your talent and reach could be used to heal and inspire, to bridge divides and promote understanding. Instead, you’ve chosen a path that sows discord and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The Jewish and Black experiences share a rich history of collaboration and mutual support, particularly in the music industry. From the early days of jazz and blues to the groundbreaking work of Motown and beyond, our communities have enriched each other through music and culture.”
Cohen concluded his letter by writing: “I urge you to reflect on this shared legacy and use your platform to build upon the love and understanding that have always existed between our communities. Sincerely, Lyor.”
Kanye did not take kindly to Cohen’s words and issued a fiery response on Instagram (which he has since deleted).
Alongside a screenshot of the letter which circled the use of “Kanye” in its intro, West (who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021) wrote: “LEE OR let me call you by your incorrect name also. You and your whole industry have promoted and got paid off songs where black people glorify killing each other. But my t shirt is the worst thing ever.”
He then mentioned Cohen’s ex-girlfriend, fashion designer Tory Burch: “All of yall are like girls who don’t take accountability. It’s a doube standard. Then yall threaten and extort people around me. People are so sued to your mob. And to think when Tory Burch came to the door with a towel on I didn’t smash cause I looked at you as a friend.
“You start by apologizing and taking accountability for the massive promotion of black death that you’ve got paid off of for years. Also you too broke to speak to me in the first place.”
Ye signed off by invoking Irv Gotti, who worked with Cohen at Def Jam and passed away last week at the age of 54: “And you know what Irv said to you before he passed and since he not here, I’ll say it. Suuuuck Myyy Diiiick.”
Ye’s right again why is this rich dude attacking him? Mind your business it’s all of them getting away with crimes Clive Davis, Lucian, Jimmy Iovine, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Roman Polanski, Ezra Miller, Dan Schnieder, Bryan Singer, Bob Iger, Brian Robert’s, Larry Ellison, Jared Kushner, Paul Rosenberg, The Alchemist, Brett Ratner, Adam Silver, Scooter Braun, Woody Allen, Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Lady Gaga, Ellen, there’s a pattern of people here in power
I agree… Except I would take Alchemist off that list.
All of this because the fashion world didn’t accept his wack threads and the music industry moved on from his weak pretentious music.
cocksuckers support lyor cohen cocksuckers support universal music cocksucker listen to rap 2025
I actually agree with Ye on this one. Lyor Cohen went to The Breakfast Club and basically said he didn’t care if his promotion of black music glorifying death impacted the black community as long as his family (his people) were eating. That group has exploited black people for a very long time for money. Kanye is not wrong re these recent positions. Musk doing now see salutes and the ADL downplays that shit cause he is white and a supporter of Israel.
Kanye another one…. You gotta tee off on his jaw in order to teach him a lesson. Just a corny dude with money that think he tough until he meets tough. And until someone does just that nothing will happen. You gotta eff up Kanye with hands and feet in order to remind himself what part of the lunch table he belongs
Really walk up on son & square up you think he gonna squabble, hell no.
But if the white man didn’t want the ‘holier than thou’ turd people to rap and promote violent lyrics, they scream MY NARRATIVE IS BEING BLAH BLAH BLAH!!! Shoot em both➖💥👈
Drake you want to stick it to UMG don’t resign and make a collab album with Ye released through his brand not OVO or the mainstream. Revive Wolves or whatever that project was called maybe even start from scratch.