Making it to headlines by spilling provocative statements has almost become a hobby for the American singer, and songwriter Kanye West. From attacking the pride of the Jewish community with anti-Semitic remarks to calling out his ex-wife and her then-boyfriend Pete Davidson, he has perhaps made people believe that he needs some kind of rehab.

However, it is not anything new to Ye. Controversial statements are rather synonymous with the Donda Academy owner since the world knows of his stardom. A few years ago, when he was probably in a happy marriage with the television personality, Kim Kardashian, he provided some opinion about 400 years of black slavery, and the world almost took him by his throat. So let us travel back to when Ye was Kanye West and had something controversial to say about slavery.

Kanye West once provoked the mob with his controversial remarks on slavery

The Yeezus singer had appeared for an interview at TMZ headquarters in 2018 where they talked about the history of slavery because the now 45-year-old rapper and businessman used his free speech to state that 400 years of slavery “sounds like a choice.” The rapper went on to add, “You were there for 400 years and it’s all of y’all. It’s like we’re mentally imprisoned.” And while he would have thought no one can say anything about it, one of the TMZ employees called Ye on the carpet.

Van Lathan apparently came out as a strong critic of the Praise God singer when he acquainted him with the truth of thousands of African American by asserting while Ye is making money out of his talent, many have to “deal with the marginalization.” The marginalization is a result of hundreds of years of slavery, which according to West, was a choice. Furthermore, becoming the voice of many, Lathan also expressed his frustration and vexation toward Ye.

West then explained that he was aware that they did not chain and place slaves aboard a boat of their own volition. He then turned the whole argument on himself, asserting that people of color cannot go through the harsh period again, which is why he brought up the 400-year threshold. Free thought is now necessary, per the West. “It was just an idea. [O]nce again I am being attacked for presenting new ideas.”

What is your opinion on Kanye West’s statements on slavery? Feel free to share your thoughts below.