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In a wide-ranging, nearly three-hour conversation on the Joe Rogan Experience, Kanye West (now known as Ye) articulates his vision for his presidential run, life, and society at large. He frames his decision to run for president in 2020 as a divine calling that began in 2015, despite skepticism from those around him, including Oprah Winfrey.
Ye positions himself as a "visionary" and a "leader of the free world," not a politician, aiming to innovate and simplify the current political system. He critiques existing power structures, whether in the music industry, politics, food production, or religion. He advocates deconstructing flawed systems to build more sustainable and equitable alternatives.
Ye criticizes the music industry for exploiting artists through unfair contracts. He recounts personal experiences of dealing with complex, labyrinthine contracts that, in his view, "rape" artists financially. He draws parallels between this exploitation and the #MeToo movement, arguing that everyone is responsible for perpetuating the problem. Ye mentions Bruce and Brandon Lee, Bob Marley, and Michael Jackson, suggesting a sense of potential danger in challenging established power structures. He emphasizes that his fight is not just about reclaiming his masters but about liberating all artists.
Ye's vision extends to transforming society. He advocates for a shift away from a monetary-driven existence towards a value system centered on relationships and service. He believes the COVID-19 pandemic has presented an opportunity to re-evaluate priorities and create a new civilization. He seeks to improve the lives of all people through initiatives focused on food, clothing, shelter, communication, education, and transportation.
Ye details his creation of the "Easy Christian Academy," which prioritizes holistic education, including physics and farming. He envisions self-sustaining cities powered by renewable resources. Ye expresses concerns about bioengineering and its potential for misuse, advocating for a balance between technological advancement and ecological preservation.
Ye's religious beliefs are central to his worldview. He recounts his spiritual awakening, which led him to create "Sunday Service" and to abandon rapping for a year. He describes "Sunday Service" as a form of ministry, bringing together talented singers to create an uplifting and inclusive experience. He believes that it's a testament to the power of faith and service. He emphasizes that it is his effort to serve his soul and not his ego.
Ye candidly discusses his struggles with mental health. He shares his experience with being diagnosed as bipolar and medicated, which he believes stifled his creativity. He emphasizes the importance of faith over fear, viewing fear as a tool for control. Ye contends that by instilling the fear of God, the fear of everything else is eliminated.
Ye delves into various social issues, including abortion, the Black Lives Matter movement, and racism. He describes himself as pro-life and plans to introduce "Plan A" to change the connotation of orphanages and foster care. He critiques Black History Month as programming that reminds black people they were slaves.
Ye believes that as president, he would bring a fresh perspective to foreign policy, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and shared values. He would leverage his extensive travels and ability to bridge divides to foster international cooperation. He envisions a world where all individuals can achieve prosperity and happiness.
Ye ends the conversation by explaining the importance of recognizing his genius to help people, to serve to the best of his ability, and to fight what is known in today’s day and age as institutionalized racism.