Kanye West, the controversial rapper and fashion designer, has recently sparked a new wave of outrage and criticism by wearing a shirt of the Norwegian black metal band BURZUM.
The shirt features the band’s logo and a photo of its founder and sole member, Varg Vikernes, who is a convicted murderer, arsonist, and white supremacist. Vikernes, who has expressed anti-Semitic, racist, and neo-Nazi views, surprisingly praised West for his courage and defiance in wearing the shirt, despite risking the backlash of the music industry and the public.
Many fans and critics have condemned West for his apparent endorsement of BURZUM and Vikernes, and questioned his motives and sanity.
West, who has previously apologized for his anti-Semitic remarks and actions, has not commented on the shirt or the reaction it has caused.
According to a report by MetalSucks, Varg took to X (formerly Twitter) last Saturday, January 20th, to react to the photo.
He wrote: “To all those who want me to speak ill of Kayne West: no, he is not “stealing” or “ripping off” anything I do. As I have written in my book about black metal (see image), it is perfectly normal, natural & fine to be inspired by & to pick up ideas from other “artists”.
He later added: And frankly, I think it shows courage to publicly wear a Burzum shirt, like he has done. You risk the wrath (including boycott) of an entire music industry, completely under the control of… “a certain group”. So kudos to him for that.
