Kanye West, the Chicago-born music icon whose career has long been marked by both groundbreaking artistry and frequent controversy, appears to be taking steps toward personal reflection and accountability. In recent days, West has removed several tracks from his Spotify and other music streaming platforms, signaling a shift in his approach to his public output. Among the songs pulled are “WW3” and “HALLELUJAH,” tracks widely criticized for antisemitic content, as well as “COUSINS,” a song that has drawn attention for entirely different, deeply personal reasons.
Fans first noticed the removals when the account @yeunrlsd pointed out that all three tracks are no longer available on Spotify. Apple Music also lacks these releases, though a music video for “COUSINS” continues to circulate online. While the removal of “WW3” and “HALLELUJAH” addresses past controversies tied to West’s offensive statements about the Jewish community, the decision to pull “COUSINS” is connected to a raw, unsettling moment from his past.
Originally released in April of this year, “COUSINS” contains lyrics in which West references a troubling incident from his childhood involving a family member. The song’s content sparked immediate shock, a mixture of backlash, jokes, and even some support from those willing to acknowledge the complexity of West’s personal history. Fellow rapper A$AP Ferg, for instance, publicly offered understanding, stating, “When people start to act out, you never know the root of the issue. Sending love brother, you’re a GOAT.” This type of response reflects the difficult balance fans and observers strike between condemning troubling behavior and recognizing the potential influence of trauma or mental health struggles.
Kanye West Withdraws Track “COUSINS” from Streaming Platform
Kanye West’s recent personal journey may offer further context for these removals. In the past few months, he met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, a prominent Jewish spiritual leader, in what was described as a moment of repentance and accountability. During this meeting, West spoke openly about his struggles with bipolar disorder and the extremes it sometimes drove him to. He admitted that his behavior, including offensive public statements and controversial music, often neglected the impact on those around him, saying, “I feel really blessed to be able to sit here with you today and just take accountability. I was dealing with some various issues of bipolar, so it would take the ideas I had and have me take them to an extreme where I would forget about the protection of the people around me or myself.”
Rabbi Pinto praised Kanye West for confronting his actions directly, emphasizing that personal growth comes not from avoiding mistakes but from how one addresses them. “A person is not defined by his mistakes, but by the way he chooses to correct them. This is the true strength of man: the ability to return, to learn, and to build bridges of love and peace,” Pinto said. The meeting appeared to leave a meaningful impression on West, who has since made tangible moves to amend past actions, starting with the removal of controversial content from public access.
The decision to take down these tracks reflects more than just public image management; it indicates an ongoing process of self-reflection and healing. While West has long been a figure defined by unpredictability and headline-grabbing statements, these recent steps suggest a commitment to confronting difficult aspects of his past and present. By removing music that has caused harm or reflected painful experiences, West is attempting, at least in part, to reconcile with fans, communities, and even himself.
It is important to note that the removal of the songs will not erase the past controversies or the debates they sparked. West remains a polarizing figure, and many fans and critics alike are skeptical of any single gesture of accountability. Nevertheless, the act of taking these steps—acknowledging wrongdoing, seeking guidance from spiritual leaders, and curating his public output with care—represents a notable departure from previous patterns of denial or deflection.
Ultimately, the story of Kanye West in late 2025 is one of a complex, talented artist confronting the consequences of both his public behavior and personal history. While “COUSINS” and the other removed tracks may no longer be widely accessible, their disappearance is emblematic of a larger attempt to address past missteps and to engage in a process of personal growth. West’s journey is far from complete, and while it will not necessarily earn him universal forgiveness, it is a step toward accountability, reflection, and perhaps a healthier creative path.
In a world where celebrity actions are scrutinized in real time, Kanye West’s decision to remove these songs serves as a reminder that even highly visible figures must grapple with the impact of their words and artistic choices. By taking these concrete steps, he demonstrates an awareness of accountability, a willingness to confront personal and public mistakes, and a desire, however imperfectly executed, to move forward with greater responsibility.
Kanye West may not have healed all the fractures of his public image, nor will he satisfy every critic, but these changes reflect a personal reckoning and a shift toward doing what he can to “right the ship,” offering at least a glimmer of progress in a career often defined by controversy.
Source- hotnewhiphop
