Kanye West writes a bizarre poem about his own death
Kanye West is a poet and he didn't even know it — and according to his "latest creation," he's also dead.
The rapper on Tuesday shared a strange poem on Instagram titled "Dead," which is about how "no one wanted to tell me I was DEAD." West writes in the poem, "They ran through my account like the sign said free bread. But no one wanted to tell me I was DEAD. My kids would dance for me in a home I once led. But kids see ghosts and didn't know I was DEAD."
The poem concludes with West suggesting he was murdered in this scenario. "I found out one day at the newsstand in [purgatory] there was a front page article of my murderers story," he writes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the Instagram caption, West described this poem as his "latest creation," and he said that he "will not explain this new piece for the explanation destroys the mystery and magic" of it. West previously posted another poem titled "Divorce," in which he writes that "divorce feels like full blown COVID." Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from West in early 2021, and last week, she was declared legally single.
In recent weeks, West has sparked concern and criticism for his attacks on Pete Davidson, the Saturday Night Live star who's dating Kardashian, and he recently shared a disturbing claymation video that depicted himself kidnapping and burying Davidson. After sparking backlash, West defended the video as "art," writing, "Art is not a proxy for any ill or harm. Any suggestion otherwise about my art is false and mal intended." While sharing his "Dead" poem, West also said that he feels "already compromised that I have to justify my expression after over 20 years of art that I've contributed to the planet."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
How to avoid Blue Monday's financial woes
The Explainer The most depressing day of the year can actually be a catalyst for good money decisions
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Prop 6, inmate firefighters and the state of prison labor
The Explainer The long-standing controversial practice raises questions about exploitation
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: January 20, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published