Kanye West is a widely known rapper, who has recently become infamous for his erratic behavior and controversial tweets. In the first years of his career, the rapper blew up and was seen as one of the most influential rappers of the time. However, he soon corrupted his influence and became seen as arrogant and narcissistic.

The rapper was hospitalized in 2016, after months of strange and concerning acts. The few months leading up to his hospitalization were full of cancelled shows and the shows he did decide to attend were often cut short due to frequent outbursts. After being admitted into the UCLA medical center, West seemed to be back to his normal self… well, normal for him.

However, the pattern has begun again. West has taken up social media heavily in the last year, sparking some controversial tweets. Many of his tweets discuss his political views as he confesses his love for Donald Trump and the “dragon energy” they share, as well as his belief in the modern-day “mentality of slavery”. The rapper even stopped his performance on SNL to make a pro-Trump speech, leaving many in the audience and the celebrities on and off-stage uncomfortable.

West has received tons of backlash for his recent behavior and has lost respect from multiple celebrities. Will.i.am commented on West’s tweet about slavery being a choice by saying, “That broke my heart… to me, that is a different person saying that… that statement was one of the most ignorant statements that anybody that came from the hood could ever say about their ancestors… my grandmother’s grandma… was a slave. And when you’re a slave, you’re owned… you’re deprived of education. That’s not choice, that’s by force…’”.

News articles and social media are quick to claim his changing views as being due to mental insanity. While this may be the consensus that many have reached, talking down upon and diagnosing him is not a fair act to him or friends/family around him.

West’s alleged mental health issues could be a result of multiple stressing factors. The rapper’s success has entailed constantly being around cameras and media, years of touring, the launch of a clothing company, and has even put his family life in jeopardy. Kanye West may just be another example of the mental health issues Hollywood can bring out in an individual.

It is fair to say West should spend some time away from the cameras until him and those around him decide he is ready to step into the spotlight again.