Kanye defends his outrageous “slavery was a choice” comment on new album

At an exclusive listening party in the hills of Wyoming, Kanye West dropped his 7-track album on Thursday, surrounded by his wife Kim Kardashian, celebrity friends and industry insiders.

As for the rest of the world, they would just have to wait a little longer since his songs were not released online at midnight as previously promised. And folks are waiting with bated breath to hear what West has to say about his recent Twitter tirades and new friend Donald Trump, and it seems he did kinda address some the controversial slavery comment that went viral.

—Kanye West (sort of) drops ‘Ye’ album: Everything we know so far—

“I said slavery’s a choice, they said, ‘How Ye?’/Just imagine if they caught me on a wild day,” he reportedly says on one track.

West was joined at the “YE” album party by 2 Chainz, Pusha T, Nas, Fabolous and Lil Yachty. Chris Rock, who introduced the album to a livestreamed audience said:

“Hip-hop is the first art form created by free black men,” Rock reportedly told the crowd. “No black man has taken more advantage of his freedom than Kanye West.”

Kim Kardashian stood faithfully by her husband’s side after jetting in from her well publicized meeting with Trump to discuss prison reform and a presidential pardon for 62-year-old Alice Marie Johnson.

The “YE” album is said to also address West’s mental health struggles and battle with drug addiction.

—VIDEO: April Ryan had NO time for Van Jones’ defense of Kim Kardashian’s White House visit—

Here’s everything else we know so far:

Chris Rock introduced the album at the listening session in Wyoming. Jonah Hill, Big Sean, Nas, 2 Chainz and Pusha T were a few of the celebrities who attended the exclusive event that featured campfires and smore’s. Chris Rock was the one who introduced the album and urged listeners to listen with an open mind. “Welcome to the world premiere of the latest opus from the one and only Kanye West entitled YE,” he said. “Remember this rap music, hip-hop music, is the first art form created by free black men. And no black man has taken more advantage of his freedom than Kanye West…Listen without prejudice.”

Ye features Kid Cudi, Ty Dolla Sign, Charlie Wilson and Nicki Minaj. Jury is still out but we’re guessing the collabs are impressive. Kudos to Nicki for getting a writing credit.

He addresses the Khloe Kardashian/ Tristan Thompson scandal. While the album reportedly makes no mention of Donald Trump, Kanye did include a few bars about his sister-in-law’s recent relationship woes.“All these thots on Christian Mingle/That’s what almost got Tristan single.”

He’s praying for Russell Simmons. We’re not quite sure what to make of reports that one track features a bit of a shout out to Russell Simmons. “Russell Simmons want to pray for me too/ I pray for him because he got Me Too’d.”

He dedicated the album to Kim Kardashian West and rapped about her reaction to his antics. “Wife calling screaming saying we’re about to lose it all I had to calm her down ‘cos she couldn’t breathe/I told her she could leave me now but she wouldn’t leave…This is what they mean for better or for worse huh?”

He reportedly walked through the crowd with his wife while his ex-manager, Scooter Braun, followed close behind the couple. She jumped on social media ahead of their arrival to announce they were on the way and the revealed that her husband finalized the album’s cover moments before their arrival.

Kanye confirms he’s bipolar. The rapper has mentioned mental health issues before, but he reportedly disclosed that he suffers from bipolar disorder and called the condition a “superpower” in one of his songs. “…ain’t no disability, I’m a superhero,” he raps.

“Lift Yourself” and “Ye vs. The People” were left off of the album. Lucky for us.

Obviously, we can’t offer any opinions on the actual music until we hear the whole project. In the meantime, we’ll be waiting and refreshing just like the rest of you. Or ignoring and pretending not to care…just like the rest of you.

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