Kanye West is once again in the middle of controversy after clapping back at Lyor Cohen, the former Def Jam executive, who publicly condemned West’s antisemitic remarks and Nazi imagery. Cohen, now Global Head of Music at YouTube, penned an open letter earlier this week, criticizing Ye for promoting hateful rhetoric and urging him to use his platform more responsibly.
In his statement, Cohen addressed West directly, writing, “Your words and actions are not only offensive but triggering to all decent people who recognize the horrors of the Holocaust… Your talent and reach could be used to heal and inspire, to bridge divides and promote understanding.”
West, never one to let criticism slide, took to Instagram with a scathing response—one that he has since deleted. In his post, he mocked Cohen’s name, circled the “Kanye” mention in the letter, and accused the industry veteran of profiting off music that glorifies violence in Black communities while condemning his own actions.
“LEE OR let me call you by your incorrect name also,” West wrote. “You and your whole industry have promoted and got paid off songs where Black people glorify killing each other. But my T-shirt is the worst thing ever.”
In an unexpected turn, West brought up Cohen’s ex-girlfriend, fashion designer Tory Burch, writing, “All of y’all are like girls who don’t take accountability… And to think when Tory Burch came to the door with a towel on I didn’t smash cause I looked at you as a friend.”
West escalated things even further by invoking the late Irv Gotti, who recently passed away at age 54 and had a long history with Cohen at Def Jam. Ye claimed to be quoting Gotti in his final sign-off: “And you know what Irv said to you before he passed and since he not here, I’ll say it. Suuuuck Myyy Diiiick.”
