While the world was low-key waiting for a response from Kanye West regarding Taylor Swift’s jab at him during her Grammy acceptance speech, the Chicago native had something much bigger on his mind: his personal debt.
The emotional rapper took to Twitter in the wee hours of Tuesday morning (Feb. 16) to discuss how his big dreams have contributed to his personal debt. West says that he is $53 million in the hole.
“For the past 3 years people who knew about the debt tried to use it against me in negotiations,” he began his 26-tweet spiel with. “‘Money doesn’t make me who I am. I wanted the world to know my struggle.” West, who has used the social media platform much more frequently than he ever has in the past few weeks, says that he doesn’t have to be accepted as “cool” because that’s not his mission.
“I’m an artist the definition of art – or at least my definition – is to be able to see the truth and then express it.”
He also mentioned those who have laughed at him and his dreams, calling out Charlamagne The God and Sway Calloway for picking on him when he was struggling with debt. However, projects such as his recently-released album, The Life Of Pablo, and his Adidas fashion line have helped him get through his personal struggles and live his dreams.
“Pablo is full of joy and love because I was able to create…Thank you Adidas for supporting my creative vision. Adidas has really made all the difference…They provided resources for me to create… they supported me … I thank you so so much. You let me dream without limits.” He ended his spree with a hopeful sign off: “All positive energy.”
Check out some of the tweets below.
For the past 3 years people who knew about the debt tried to use it against me in negotiations …
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
You can’t control me or use the debt against me no more …
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
Money doesn’t make me who I am…
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
You can point fingers and laugh, but for all entrepreneurs with families …
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
this country was built off of dreamers … never give up on your dreams, bro…
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
I’m an artist… the definition of art – or at least my definition – is to be able to see the truth and then express it…
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
so people laughed when I said I wanted to be able to take care of my family …
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
for anybody listening to Pablo now, working on a dream
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
I hope these words and this moment of truth can serve as some extra motivation to you…
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
Pablo is full of joy and love because I was able to create….
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
Thank you Adidas for supporting my creative vision …
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
Adidas has really made all the difference …
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
You let me dream without limits….
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016