John Legend, in a candid interview with The Sunday Times, pinpointed the 2007 death of Kanye West’s mother, Donda, as a turning point in West’s life, leading to his recent “obsessions with antisemitism and anti-blackness.”
Once close collaborators, Legend expressed sadness over West’s alienation from the music industry and personal life, including his estrangement from his children, due to persistent online vitriol.
Legend, who knew West since 2001, described a stark contrast between the optimistic, creative Kanye of the early 2000s and the current figure mired in controversy. “It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now,” Legend said, noting no early signs of West’s later behaviour. He highlighted 2007 as a pivotal year: “After his mother passed in 2007, there was definitely a difference. His descent started then and seems to have accelerated recently.”
John Legend is heartbroken to see the "devolution" of his former mentor and friend Kanye West … saying in a new interview that his rampant antisemitism and anti-Blackness is "sad" to watch.
Read more: https://t.co/5kXksC6m8L pic.twitter.com/lrqCdRWs2E
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 11, 2025Legend refrained from psychoanalysis but expressed dismay at West’s loss of support. John Legend identifies Kanye West’s mother’s 2007 death as the start of his descent into antisemitism and anti-blackness, per The Sunday Times.
Legend met West through producer Devo Harris in 2001, co-writing and providing hooks for him. In 2004, Legend became the first artist signed to West’s GOOD Music label, alongside Common, releasing six albums before joining Columbia Records in 2016.
Read: Kanye West and Bianca Censori Sue Dentist Over Nitrous Oxide Misconduct
West’s early mentorship was instrumental in Legend’s rise. Still, Legend noted that gratitude cannot excuse West’s “erratic behaviour,” which has alienated peers and family, including Kim Kardashian, who shields their children from his rants.
John Legend says it's "shocking" to see what has become of Kanye West after years of friendship and collaboration in the mid-2000s:
“Back then Kanye was very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams not only for himself but also for all the people around him. He had so… pic.twitter.com/5BDzuhbpQJ
— Variety (@Variety) May 10, 2025West’s inflammatory online behaviour has cost him high-profile supporters, with public figures distancing themselves from his antisemitic and anti-black remarks. Once a platform for West’s creativity, the music industry now grapples with his polarising presence. Legend’s reflections underscore West’s actions’ personal and professional toll, highlighting a cautionary tale about fame and mental health.
