JUST IN: Kanye West Furious Reaction to John Legend’s The Times Interview — Says ‘STFU’ as Ex-Friend Reflects on Kanye’s ‘Sad’ Transformation and ‘Obsessions’ with Antisemitism Since 2007

Kanye West Tells John Legend to “STFU” After Legend’s Emotional Critique in The Times Interview

In a fiery escalation of their once-close friendship, Kanye West, now known as Ye, has publicly lashed out at John Legend, telling him to “shut the f*** up” following Legend’s candid remarks about Ye’s controversial behavior in a recent interview with The Times of London. The sharp rebuke marks a new low in the strained relationship between the two music icons, who collaborated extensively in the early 2000s but have since drifted apart amid Ye’s increasingly polarizing actions and statements.

John Legend’s Heartfelt Reflections

In the Times interview, published on May 10, 2025, John Legend, 46, opened up about his former mentor and friend, expressing sorrow over Ye’s dramatic transformation from a “passionate, gifted” artist to someone consumed by controversial ideologies. Legend, who was signed to Ye’s GOOD Music label in 2004 and toured with him during the College Dropout era, described Ye’s current state as a “sad devolution.” He pointed to Ye’s “obsessions with antisemitism, anti-Blackness” as particularly shocking, noting that he saw no signs of these tendencies during their early collaborations.

Legend suggested that the death of Ye’s mother, Donda West, in 2007 might have been a turning point, potentially contributing to his emotional and mental decline. “We don’t deserve to psychoanalyze him,” Legend cautioned, but acknowledged that “there has been a difference” in Ye’s behavior since that loss. Reflecting on their past, Legend credited Ye with reviving his music career, recalling how Ye’s success with The College Dropout opened doors for him after years of rejection from record labels. “Kanye had so much optimism, so much creativity,” Legend said. “It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now.”

The Times interview also touched on their fallout, which began in 2022 when Ye publicly supported Donald Trump, a stance that Legend, a vocal critic of the former president, found irreconcilable. Since then, Ye’s actions—ranging from antisemitic outbursts to releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler” with Nazi imagery—have further widened the rift.

Kanye West’s Explosive Response

Ye, never one to shy away from confrontation, took to social media to respond to Legend’s comments with characteristic bluntness. In a now-deleted post on X, Ye wrote, “John Legend, STFU,” dismissing his former friend’s critique as unwarranted meddling. The harsh retort aligns with Ye’s recent pattern of lashing out at critics, particularly those addressing his antisemitic rhetoric and erratic behavior. While Ye did not elaborate further in the post, the brevity and intensity of his response underscored the depth