Last week, Kanye West raised some eyebrows when images of his Yeezus tour merchandise hit the Internet. West, who has drawn his fair share of criticism for masterminding subtle song titles like "I Am a God," included the confederate flag in several of his Wes Lang-designed T-shirt and tote bag designs.
In an interview with 97.1 AMP Radio, West didn't seem too concerned with how people interpreted his move to use the Stars and Bars, imagery frequently associated with the racism and prejudice.
“React how you want. Any energy you got is good energy," West said. "I represented slavery, my abstract take on what I know about it, I wrote ‘New Slaves.’ So I took the Confederate flag and made it my flag. What are you going to do?”
West's thoughts on the matter were perhaps better illustrated by his comments about Tyler, the Creator, a collaborator that West referred to as a "good mentor."
“He helped me out with some of the [Yeezus] merch. So talented, he understands things ... Did you see his amazing Mountain Dew commercial before it was banned? It’s the best thing in the last year. You know what should be banned? Stuff that’s whack, not stuff that’s controversial. The world is controversial, classist, racist — so what. You guys are selling soda, be glad someone that creative took a moment to help you do what you do.”
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