S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West may have the number one album in the country next week, but not before receiving an earful from the American Parkinson Disease Association.
According to reports, a reference to Parkinson’s disease on Ye’s new “On Sight” track has sparked backlash.
Kanye West is being slammed as “ignorant” and “distasteful” over a lyric on his new album which uses Parkinson’s disease as a punch line … TMZ has learned. Now, TMZ has learned the American Parkinson Disease Association is upset about the lyric — with the org.’s VP Kathryn Whitford telling us, “We find these lyrics distasteful and the product of obvious ignorance.” FYI — the APDA has been around for over 50 years and it’s the largest organization in the country dedicated to helping those with Parkinson’s and furthering efforts to find a cure. So far, no response from Kanye’s camp.” (TMZ)
On the record, Ye makes a quick but noticeable reference to the progressive disease of the nervous system.
“A monster about to come alive again,” Kanye raps, “Soon as I pull up and park the Benz/We get this b*tch shaking like Parkinson’s.” (“On Sight”)
A Kanye apology could go to good use as Yeezus is expected to do substantial numbers in its opening week.
June 18 sees the release of three hip-hop sets that are all on course for sizable sales debuts: Kanye West’s “Yeezus,” J. Cole‘s “Born Sinner” and Mac Miller‘s “Watching Movies With the Sound Off.” According to early sales forecasts from industry sources, “Yeezus” might sell 500,000 copies in its first week. Behind him will likely be “Born Sinner” with perhaps 150,000 to 200,000. “Watching Movies With the Sound Off” could sell as much as 100,000. If West and Cole both sell over 100,000 — which seems a sure thing — it will mark the first time two rap albums have debuted with more than 100,000 in the same week since November of 2010. (Billboard)
Last year, Mr. West struck a chord with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) over dicey lyrics from his “Theraflu” track.
When PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals) learned of ‘Ye’s defiant lyrics, the animal rights group lashed into him with scathing words of their own. “What’s draggin’ on the floor is Kanye’s reputation as a man with no empathy for animals or human beings,” said PETA’s Senior Vice President Dan Mathews in a statement sent to XXLMag.com. “He’s a great musician but doesn’t seem to have the fashion sense to design anything more than caveman costumes. We keep hoping that one day he’ll find his heart and join evolved style icons–including Russell Simmons, Pink, and Natalie Portman–who have dropped animal skins.” (XXL Mag)
Check out “On Sight”:
