Will.i.am hits out as star sparks controversy by claiming slavery in America was a ‘choice’
RAPPER Will.i.am yesterday led a backlash against Kanye West’s “harmful” and “ignorant” claim that slavery in America was a choice.
West, 40, sparked controversy when he said in an interview with TMZ Live: “When you hear about slavery for 400 years ... for 400 years? That sounds like a choice. Like, you was there for 400 years and it’s all of y’all? It’s like we’re mentally in prison.”
The Voice UK star Will.i.am hit out at rapper and Yeezy entrepreneur West’s stance.
He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “That statement was one of the most ignorant statements that anybody that came from the hood could ever say about their ancestors, that slavery is a choice. What are you talking about?”
The Black Eyed Peas founder added: “That’s not Kanye. To me, that’s a different person that’s saying that.
“And I hope it’s not to raise awareness so he could sell a record and some shoes, because that would be the worst thing to do – to stir up a very touchy race situation and you be the benefactor from it.”
Directly addressing West on the show, BY LUCY MAPSTONE reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk Will.i.am, 43, added: “So I encourage you, if you really believe this, give your shoes away for free, give your album away for free – I don’t like talking about going against my community, but that is harmful.
“I will not throw my ancestors under the bus to profit.”
He also said that West’s remarks “broke my heart”, because it made him think of his “grandmother’s grandma, who was a slave”.
Will.i.am added: “When you’re a slave, you’re owned. You don’t choose if you’re owned.
“When you’re a slave, you’re deprived of education. That’s not choice, that’s by force.
“I understand the need to have free thought but if your thoughts aren’t researched, that is just going to hurt those that are still in conditions where it’s not choice.” Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan praised The Voice star for his interview.
He tweeted: “Wow. That may have been the most powerful 5 minutes in @GMB history. Thank you for your candour and brutal, passionate
SPIKE LEE ON WEST’S SLAVERY COMMENTS