Open Letter from Lyor Cohen to Kanye West: “A Message of Concern and Disappointment”

Lyor Cohen, a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry, recently penned an open letter to Kanye West addressing his recent controversial actions. Cohen, who played a key role at Def Jam Recordings from 1988 to 2004, has a long history in the music industry, working with artists like Jay Z and LL Cool J.

West, who signed with Roc-A-Fella Records in 2002, released his debut album through the label in 2004. Cohen later joined Warner Music Group and eventually became the global head of music at YouTube, where he focused on connecting artists with the platform’s streaming business.

In his letter to West, Cohen expressed his disappointment in the rapper’s use of Nazi symbols and antisemitic rhetoric. He urged West to be more mindful of the impact his words have on Jewish communities and to use his platform for healing and understanding.

The letter reflects on the shared history of collaboration between Jewish and Black communities in the music industry and encourages West to continue building upon this legacy. Cohen’s message serves as a reminder of the power of music to unite and inspire.



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