Kanye West controversy: Rapper dedicates social media posts to Kyrie Irving and Stephen A. Smith, calls them "real ones"
Kanye West, the controversial rapper who now goes by “Ye,” has once again made headlines. This time, it was for his Instagram posts involving Stephen A. Smith and Kyrie Irving.
Ye posted a series of black and white head shots, including pictures of ESPN analyst Smith and Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard Irving. In the captions, he then praised them for being “real ones.” He captioned the photo of Smith with this:
“It’s actually some real ones still alive that ain’t afraid no more I’m with you Time to build our own So the #redmedia can never control or diminish us again.”
“There’s some real ones still here,” Ye captioned the image of Kyrie Irving.
Kanye West considers Stephen A. Smith and Kyrie Irving ‘real ones’ https://t.co/a58ca1Qe9L
Ye’s post about Stephen A. Smith is in reference to what Smith recently said regarding Ye on his "Know Mercy with Stephen A. Smith" podcast:
“West continued his rhetoric that Jewish people are the reason for his bad business deals and for the backlash he has received. I thought the brother was worth billions. What you mean? What bad deals? How many bad deals did you have if you’re worth $7 billion?
“How many bad deals did you have if you’re worth, if you’re calling yourself the richest black man in American history? How many bad deals did you have? What do you mean? Which way is it, Kanye?”
Smith continued:
“If Jewish folks are at fault for the bad business deals that cost you money, how are you saying that while bragging about being the richest black man in American history?
“Which one is it? Either they helped you or hurt you. They helped you or they hurt you. Pick one. They did both? That’s what they did? Really, really?”
Despite his initially harsh words, Smith later took a little bit more of a softer stance against Ye. He explained that he doesn't enjoy criticizing a successful black man but that it was necessary given Ye's recent actions. The reputed ESPN analyst said:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I gotta tell you something, I don’t enjoy this. This is a black man that’s been incredibly, unbelievably successful.
“But when you’re wrong, you’re wrong. When you’re incendiary, you’re incendiary. When you’re insensitive, you’re insensitive. And when you see him oblivious or indifferent to history and the impact that it has on any group of people in this world, Black, white, Jews, gentile, it don’t matter.
“Latinos, Asian Americans, or whatever, you gotta be called on the carpet for it, especially when you don’t seem to have an apologetic bone in your body.
“And that’s where we are with Kanye West as we sit here right now. 'Cause ladies and gentlemen, excuse my language, but this shit is bad. This is really, really bad, what he has been doing.”
Meanwhile, Ye’s post about Kyrie Irving was in reference to Irving recently coming under attack after sharing a link to an anti-Semitic film on Twitter. The Nets guard initially apologized for the tweet on Twitter, writing:
“I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The 'Anti-Semitic' label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions."
I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The “Anti-Semitic” label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.
Hélà🤞🏾♾
However, Irving later defended the decision in a heated postgame interview following the Nets' 125-116 defeat to the Indiana Pacers.
“We're in 2022. History is not supposed to be hidden from anybody, and I'm not a divisive person when it comes to religion. I embrace all walks of life,” he said.
“I’m not going to stand down on anything I believe in. I’m only going to get stronger because I’m not alone. I have a whole army around me.”
Ye’s support of both Stephen A. Smith and Kyrie Irving comes after Ye himself has been canceled for consistent anti-Semitic remarks. This includes many companies cutting ties with his "Yeezy" fashion brand and most other celebrities trying to distance themselves from any association with him.
At this point, an endorsement from Ye should not be considered a positive for Smith and Irving.
NBA issues statement after Kyrie Irving shares link to anti-Semitic film
Following Kyrie Irving’s decision to share a link to an anti-Semitic film on Twitter, the NBA released an official statement which read:
“Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and runs counter to the NBA’s values of equality, inclusion and respect.”
The NBA issued the following statement: https://t.co/vuTVhEegeh
Brooklyn Nets billionaire owner Joe Tsai expressed his disappointment with Kyrie Irving as well. He wrote on Twitter:
“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.”
I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.
Finally, the Brooklyn Nets as an organization also released a statement via The Athletic's Alex Schiffer.
“The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech. We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue. We thank those, including the ADL, who have been supportive during this time,” the Nets said.
Despite the controversy, Kyrie Irving is not expected to receive any punishment from the Nets, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.