Kanye West issues impassioned letter to music industry demanding they respect his name change to ‘Ye’
Kanye West has issued an impassioned statement to the music industry, demanding recognition of the fact he has changed his name to Ye.
West has used Ye as a nickname for years, referring to Kanye as his ‘slave name’ and claiming inaccurately that Ye is the most frequently used word in the Bible.
In October 2021, months after his ex-wife Kim Kardashian filed for divorce, he took the step of having his name legally changed to Ye.
Now, his chief of staff Milo Yiannopoulos has sent around a letter to industry honchos insisting that the switch be respected, TMZ reports.
‘Ye is a black man in America who wants the right to full self-determination just like everyone else,’ wrote Yiannopoulos, an ‘ex-gay’ media personality who shot to fame as a right-wing pundit before his association with the rap star.
‘Ye is one of the most recognizable people in the world, on par with presidents and popes. He didn’t take the decision to change his name, potentially sacrificing some of the immense value captured by the brand “Kanye West,” lightly,’ the letter began.
‘The change was made fully, legally, and permanently. This is who he is now. His name is Ye,’ Yiannopoulos continued.
‘We are reaching out to streaming platforms, publishers, stores, unions, lyrics websites and data resellers. This change will happen everywhere,’ he added.
‘Your platform has been identified as one of the most visible places this change may occur, and we passionately hope you will be able to fully and properly reflect the new name and identity of such an enormously influential and historic figure.’
In reference to West’s original name Kanye, Yiannopoulos wrote: ‘He has on several occasions referred to it as his slave name. Ye is a black man in American who wants the right to full self-determination just like everyone else.
‘My colleagues and I are reaching out at his urging and hope you can assist in this effort by bringing any and all instances of his name into line on your services.’
The letter comes after it emerged Kanye is being summoned to spend time with his wife Bianca Censori’s father in Australia, according to sources, who claim the architect is ‘hesitant’ to face her dad’s wrath over her near-naked outfits and controversial relationship with the rapper.
DailyMail.com previously reported that Bianca’s father Leo was keen to confront his son-in-law – who married the Aussie designer in December 2022 – just one month after finalizing his divorce from ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
Now, Leo has reportedly requested that Kanye fly out to meet him in Australia after his wife voiced fears about his ‘intimidating’ demeanor when she visited earlier this month.
‘Kanye has been invited to go to Australia and Bianca is hesitant to allow this to happen because she knows how her father will react,’ a source exclusively told DailyMail.com.
‘Her dad still plans to have a sit down with Kanye, and Leo will not be intimidated by Kanye’s power or control. No one is expecting this to be all rainbows and family portraits.’
The demand comes after Bianca’s mother Alexandra flew to the US with the intention of ‘saving’ her child, but seemingly failed to get through to the pair.
‘Bianca’s father was not necessarily pleased with his wife’s visit to see their daughter because he feels like she enabled Bianca to continue doing what she is doing,’ the insider continued.
‘Yes, Bianca dressed provocatively while her mother was there, but it was nothing in comparison to some of the outfits she has worn prior to and since the visit.’
Since her mother departed, Bianca has made headlines with her flesh flashing fashion choices.
Earlier this week she exposed her bare butt cheeks in a metallic silver micro miniskirt and thong which she teamed with a triangle bikini top.
Another explicit outfit saw her dressed in see-through, neon green tights, which she paired with a skimpy beige tube top.
The outfit became even more X-rated when her husband proceeded to pull her tights down in order to reveal the top of her bottom.
Bianca’s father is said to have been disappointed by Alexandra’s inability to help her daughter see through Kanye’s influence, with the source adding: ‘Alexandra wanted to do this alone and her dad was under the impression that she was going to speak to her about how she is presenting herself.
‘She was so caught up in the attention and fame of it all that she became slightly intimidated by Kanye’s influence.’
Earlier this month Alexandra reportedly flew out ‘to see for herself’ whether her daughter is in of her control of her life.
‘Bianca’s mom had to see for herself after Bianca told her family she has this under control,’ a source told DailyMail.com. ‘This has been a wonderful opportunity for Alexandra to get to spend time with Bianca and assess the situation for herself.’
The insider continued: ‘Alexandra was lowkey believing she would come to save her daughter. But this is not the case. Kanye has started to turn things around since the release of Vultures in the sense that he is not going off on as many unhinged rants.
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Alexandra’s visit came days after sources told DailyMail.com that Bianca had insisted to loved ones that she is not being coerced by her husband like many have feared.
‘Bianca has talked to her family and she has told her friends the same thing since she was last back home, namely that she knows what she is doing and she has this under control,’ they said.
Indeed, the architectural designer appears to have a goal in mind when it comes to what she will do with her newfound level of fame, and is said to be making smart investments within her marriage.
While many believe the rising fashion star has simply become the Grammy-winner’s ‘trophy wife,’ Bianca has long been someone who works with Kanye to build his empire.
On top of heading the architecture for Kanye’s brand, Yeezy, since November 2020, Bianca is listed as a joint officer and manager of Oxpaha LLC, which Kanye founded in October 2023.
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‘She has a lot invested in her marriage to Kanye and her game plan is starting to become apparent,’ the source continued.
‘She has ownership in his clothing line, in his music – she is the only model in his latest video and on the cover of Vultures – in his real estate investments, and more,’ the insider added.
‘She is a very smart woman and it appears she is just as involved in her outrageous outfits as he is.
‘She has always been risqué, but she knows that this is her minute and that her minute won’t last forever.’
Kanye and Bianca have been making important moves through, Oxpaha, with all of Kanye’s recent trademark applications – including clothing items used for his album release – filed under the company.
A 7,416-square-foot commercial building on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, which it is believed he will use as a multi-purpose unit for his Yeezy fashion and music businesses, was also purchased last year under Oxpaha.
Bianca was named special power of attorney for the property deal, highlighting her importance within the rapper’s business dealings.
She was also listed as a business partner in VZW Acquisition group for many years before she first connected with Kanye.
Back in December, Leo and Alexandra were said to have been fearful that their daughter was simply a rebound in the wake of Kanye’s divorce from Kim Kardashian – which was finalized in November 2022, less than one month before he married Bianca.
