Kanye West has teamed up with Canadian artist and filmmaker Jon Rafman for a trailer for his forthcoming album, Vultures. This collaborative effort between two controversial personalities seems to take a stand against cancel culture following allegations of antisemitism, misogyny, and sexual misconduct surrounding West. The trailer was released on West’s Instagram on January 24, in anticipation of his upcoming album release in three parts on February 9, March 8, and April 5.
The visually dark trailer depicts an apocalyptic world where hood-wearing cultists, werewolves, and killer clowns dominate and set a city ablaze. West can be heard rapping, How am I antisemitic? in the teaser, while also criticizing the consequences he has faced after years of controversy with the lyrics, All eyes are on me. Won’t tell no lies, won’t hold my tongue. Don’t cry for me.
Kanye West’s controversial behavior has been well-documented since he infamously interrupted Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2009. His actions escalated further before his divorce from Kim Kardashian, including wearing a controversial White Lives Matter shirt at Paris Fashion Week in 2022 and making antisemitic posts on Twitter. As a result, his business deals, including with luxury fashion house Balenciaga, came to an end. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago even rescinded an honorary degree awarded to West in 2015 due to his disgusting and condemnable comments about the Black and Jewish communities.
Meanwhile, Jon Rafman, the filmmaker behind the album trailer, has also faced controversy. Three women accused him of sexual misconduct, leading to his gallery in Montreal dropping him and three museums suspending or postponing shows of his work. However, there seems to be a shift in support for Rafman as someone associated with his work appears to have gained access to the Instagram account @surviving_the_artworld, formerly known for sharing the survivors’ allegations. The account now stands in support of Rafman, calling for Justice for Jon and condemning libel, slander, and defamation on the web, in the art world, and media.
Rafman filed a defamation lawsuit against The Montreal Gazette, journalist T’cha Dunlevy, and the newspaper’s parent company over three articles discussing the allegations against him. The current status of the case is unclear. Rafman apologized for his actions, expressing sadness over how the experiences with the three women affected them. He disagreed with how they were portrayed in the news, emphasizing that each instance was initiated and maintained by both parties.
This collaboration between Kanye West and Jon Rafman has sparked interest in both artists, as they navigate controversy and allegations. The trailer for Vultures aims to create anticipation for West’s upcoming album release, while also raising questions about cancel culture and the consequences of controversy. As these artists continue to face scrutiny, the hopes for addressing these issues in a nuanced manner and upholding due process remain essential.
Sources:
– [Link to Kanye West Story]
– [Link to Jon Rafman Story]
