Kanye West Said He’s Too Successful to Need to Apologize as PR for His Album

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, recently issued an apology for his antisemitic behavior, and some have wondered if it is PR for his upcoming album. Ye has apologized for similar actions in the past, leading some to doubt his apology. Given the timing, some have also speculated that this is a calculated PR move. He denied this and said he didn’t need to apologize to help his career.

Kanye West recently issued an apology for his behavior ahead of his album release

Ye recently took out a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal to apologize for his antisemitic actions. He explained that he had a four-month manic episode that led him to lose touch with reality. He also denied being “a Nazi or an antisemite.”

“I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness,” he wrote. “I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”

Because West’s apology came shortly before the release of his upcoming album, Bully, some have wondered if it is a calculated move. He denied this. 

“It’s my understanding that I was in the top 10 most listened-to artists overall in the US on Spotify in 2025, and last week and most days as well,” he told Vanity Fair. “My upcoming album, Bully, is currently one of the most anticipated pre-saves of any album on Spotify too. My 2007 album, Graduation, was also the most listened-to and streamed hip-hop album of 2025. This, for me, as evidenced by the letter, isn’t about reviving my commerciality.”

He insisted that his apology came from the heart.

“This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit,” he said. “I owe a huge apology once again for everything that I said that hurt the Jewish and Black communities in particular. All of it went too far.”

He added that as a public figure, he wants to promote love and unity instead of hate and divisiveness.

“I look at wreckage of my episode and realize that this isn’t who I am,” he said. “As a public figure, so many people follow and listen to my every word. It’s important that they realize and understand what side of history that I want to stand on. And that is one of love and positivity.”