Controversially outspoken rapper Kanye West is never one to follow the crowd. The Golddigger hitmaker revealed himself to be a Donald Trump supporter during a 40-minute rant during his latest Saint Pablo Tour show in San Jose.
More than a week after Trump, 70, beat his democratic rival Hillary Clinton to be elected the next US president, West, 39, told fans that while he did not vote, he would have chosen the republican candidate.
In a rambling speech at the SAP Center on 17 November, the Famous rapper said: I said something that was kind of politically correct. I told yall I didnt vote, right? What I didnt tell you...If I were to have voted I would have voted on Trump... Theres a woman right there saying, I love you, after I just said there are things that I liked about Trumps campaign. Thats not supposed to happen, right?
After joking that upcoming shows on the North American tour would not sell-out after aligning himself with Trump, West explained why he gravitates more towards the billionaire businessman, stating: Theres non-political methods to speaking that I like, that I feel were very futuristic and that style and method of communication has proven that it can beat a politically-correct way of communication and I f**k with that.
In August 2015, West announced his plans to run for presidency in the 2020 election campaign, something which is seeming even more likely given Trumps victory. Addressing his hopes for a political future, West said: I dont say 2020 out of disrespect towards our president at all. I just mean that anybody can win. Thats not what Im saying when I say 2020, Im just saying Ive got some ideas and we should connect our ideas. And we should use opposite parties – that republicans, democrats and everyone should be the collective ideas that are used to run the country.
Watch Kanye West rant about Donald Trump on his Saint Pablo tour:
Wests support for Trump comes after the majority of the music industry came out in droves to support Clinton. Pop stars Katy Perry, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend and Cher are amongst the most outspoken Clinton endorsers and, particularly, Trump opposers.
Speaking over a chorus of boos, West stated he is aware that his favouring of Trump is rare in showbiz. The Grammy-winning rapper said: Im not saying this to diss celebrities on the democratic side. Thats cool, but I hate the fact that because Im a celebrity, everybody told me not to say that I loved the debates. I loved [Trumps] approach.
He continued: Itd be like white people thats racist running around saying n****r now because... if people are racist and they feel more inspired to say how they feel then theyre exposing themselves. Its already the beginning of change. Sometimes things you think are bad have to happen for change to f*****g happen. Sometimes, you might have to not get your way to really understand what to do in the future to be able to get your way.
Kanye Wests Saint Pablo Tour resumes at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on 19 November.