Chance The Rapper has apologised for defending Kanye West over his tweets about Donald Trump.
The musician previously tweeted that “black people don’t have to be Democrats” after West hailed the US president as his “brother”.
Black people don’t have to be democrats.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 25, 2018
He received a huge backlash from his fans and the president tweeted him a message of thanks for his comments.
Kanye West has performed a great service to the Black Community – Big things are happening and eyes are being opened for the first time in Decades – Legacy Stuff! Thank you also to Chance and Dr. Darrell Scott, they really get it (lowest Black & Hispanic unemployment in history).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018
Chance replied to Mr Trump: “Nah that ain’t it yo.”
Nah that aint it yo https://t.co/hqA1NYGxE2
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 27, 2018
In a lengthy post on Twitter, Chance, whose real name is Chancelor Jonathan Bennett, explained that he had been trying to defend his friend.
He wrote: “Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about my city and my loved ones.
“Kanye West is not just a mentor or big homie to me. He’s my family. No matter how much I disagree with him, it’s hard for me to watch people talk about someone I love – even if they were justified in doing so.
“I didn’t speak up because I agree with what Kanye had to say or because I f*** with Trump, I did it because I wanted to help my friend and cause I felt like I was being used to attack him.”
My fault yo pic.twitter.com/TIWhG8o1ST
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 27, 2018
He added: “Unfortunately, my attempt to support Kanye is being used to discredit my brothers and sisters in the movement and I can’t sit by and let that happen either.
“I’d never support anyone who has made a career out of hatred, racism and discrimination.
“I’d never support someone who’d talk about Chicago as if it’s hell on earth and then take steps to make life harder here for the most disenfranchised among us.
“I understand why people are disappointed with my words, but I was raised to believe actions speak louder than words. So let my apology be seen in my future works, and let me make up for my poorly timed comments with immediate action and advocacy for those who need it most.
“My statement about black folk not having to be democrats (though true) was a deflection from the real conversation and stemmed from a personal issue with the fact that Chicago has had generation of democratic officials with no investment or regard for black schools, neighbourhood or black lives.”
The rapper said he picked the wrong moment to express that sentiment.
He added: “We have to talk honestly about what is happening and has been happening in this country and we have to challenge those who are responsible, as well as those who are giving them a pass.
“If that happens to include someone I love, someone who is my brother-in-Christ and someone who I believe does really want to do what is right, it’s not my job to defend or protect him.”