Lyor Cohen Addresses Kanye West in Open Letter: “I Am Deeply Disappointed and Troubled”
Lyor Cohen, who held key executive roles at Def Jam Recordings from 1988 to 2004, has addressed Kanye West in an open letter. Cohen is known for his influential role in hip-hop. He started his career in the 1980s as a tour manager for Run-D.M.C. before becoming a key figure in the rise of Def Jam Recordings, where he worked with such artists as Jay Z, LL Cool J and DMX, among others.
West signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, a subsidiary of Def Jam Recordings, in 2002 and released his breakout debut album, The College Dropout, in February 2004 through Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam.
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In 2004, Cohen left to join Warner Music Group and head up its recorded music division. There, Cohen played a significant role in adapting the label to the digital era, which eventually helped him land a senior position at YouTube in 2016. Cohen currently serves as YouTube’s global head of music, where he has focused on bridging the gap between artists, labels and the platform’s streaming business.
West later replied in an Instagram post lashing out at Cohen, per reported screenshots, that he quickly deleted. He has since wiped his page.
Read Cohen’s letter below:
Dear Kanye,
I am deeply disappointed and troubled by your recent actions involving the use of Nazi symbols and antisemitic rhetoric. Your words and actions are not only offensive but triggering to all decent people who recognize the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of millions.
With antisemitism on the rise, your voice and influence carry a significant responsibility. I urge you to be more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate.
Your talent and reach could be used to heal and inspire, to bridge divides and promote understanding. Instead, you’ve chosen a path that sows discord and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
The Jewish and Black experiences share a rich history of collaboration and mutual support, particularly in the music industry. From the early days of jazz and blues to the groundbreaking work of Motown and beyond, our communities have enriched each other through music and culture.
I urge you to reflect on this shared legacy and use your platform to build upon the love and understanding that have always existed between our communities.
Sincerely,
Lyor
Feb. 13, 8:10 a.m. Updated with West’s since-deleted response.
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