“Allegations of Antisemitic Abuse Surrounding Kanye West Explored in BBC Documentary”

In a new BBC Two documentary titled “The Trouble With Kanye,” Alex Klein, a former business partner of rapper Kanye West, has made allegations that West used offensive anti-Semitic remarks directed at him. Klein, a tech entrepreneur who collaborated with West on the music streaming platform and remix device Stem Player, shared his account of the rapper’s alleged reaction when their partnership ended. According to Klein, West expressed anger and made derogatory comments, saying, “I feel like I wanna smack you” and “You’re exactly like the other Jews,” seemingly relishing in the offensiveness of his language with the intention of causing harm.

During their conversation, Klein confronted West about his belief that Jews were conspiring to hold him back. West reportedly confirmed this belief, stating, “Yes, yes I do, but it’s not even a statement that I need to take back because look at all the energy around me right now. Without that statement, I wouldn’t become president.” Klein’s allegations come after he announced in November 2022 that his company Kano Computing had severed ties with West.

The documentary also features an interview with a homeless man referred to as Mark, who claims that West approached him to be his campaign manager for his 2024 US presidential bid.

Mark, who resides in a car outside the Cornerstone Christian Church in California, claims that West sought his opinions on various topics and extended the offer to him during a phone call.

The BBC sought to establish contact with West by visiting the Cornerstone Christian Church, where he was seen attending in a video. The pastor of the church, who declined to be filmed, confirmed that West had purchased a portion of the property and had ambitious plans associated with it. Additionally, the documentary reveals a room full of individuals using sewing machines, with mood boards displaying new designs for West’s Yeezy brand.

The German sportswear company Adidas, which previously collaborated with West on the Yeezy line, distanced itself from him in late October, citing an intolerance for antisemitism. However, in May, Adidas announced that it would sell Yeezy shoes and donate a portion of the proceeds to social justice organizations.

The documentary also features interviews with John Boyd, who managed West’s 2020 presidential campaign, poet Kevin Coval, and West’s collaborator Malik Yusef. Accompanying the documentary is an eight-part podcast series titled “The Kanye Story.” Previously, Netflix released “Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy,” a three-part series that documented West’s early years in the music industry, showcasing his journey from an unknown rapper to an international star, fashion designer, and businessman.