Is Kanye’s new album a sinister tribute to church-burning neo-Nazi killer? Cover of Vultures echoes Burzum record from convicted murderer who was arrested on terror charges
Controversial rapper Kanye West has been accused of using the cover art of his new album to pay tribute to convicted murderer and neo-nazi Kristian Vikernes – a controversial black metal artist from Norway.
West, 46, released his latest album Vultures on Friday after weeks of scandals involving the promotion and content of the release.
The album’s artwork depicts a black and white out of focus landscape with scarecrows sticking out of the ground.
Users on social media have say that the artwork bears striking similarities to the artwork from Vikernes’ own band Burzum – which released similarly grim covers.
Vikernes, a black metal musician and writer known as Varg, was convicted in 1994 of stabbing a rival musician to death in Oslo and burning down several churches.
Controversial rapper Kanye West has been accused of using the cover art of his new album to pay tribute to a convicted murderer
Kristian Vikernes, a black metal musician and writer known as Varg, was convicted in 1994 of stabbing a rival musician to death in Oslo and burning down several churches
West’s album’s artwork depicts a black and white out of focus landscape with scarecrows sticking out of the ground – and looks similar to ones used by Vikernes’ band Burzum
Some on social media questioned where Kanye had received his inspiration
He was released from jail in 2009 and moved to France with his wife and three children but was arrested again and convicted of inciting racial hatred in 2014.
Police had initially arrested him and his wife on suspicion of planning acts of terrorism as they had bought four assaults rifles – however these charges were dropped.
READ MORE: ‘Disgusting’ Kanye West SLAMMED for wearing black Ku Klux Klan style hood on stage near daughter North, 10, after being blasted for anti-Semitic lyrics: ‘F*** him and his music!’
In the past, he received a copy of a manifesto from Anders Breivik, the far-right militant who killed 77 people in 2011.
Breivik killed 77 people in a bombing in central Oslo and a shooting spree on a nearby island in July 2011.
He was imprisoned in 2012 for a maximum term of 21 years.
Breivik’s 1,500-page manifesto outlined his planned crusade against Muslims, who he said were taking over Europe and could only be defeated through a violent civil war.
Commenting on the similarities, one X user said: ‘Just so you are all aware, Kanye West’s new album cover is inspired by Varg Vikernes a.k.a. Burzum who is infamous for being a neo-nazi.
‘I think its pretty obvious thats not why ye did this. hes been spreading antisemitism for a while now.’
Another said: ‘Kanye has sampled songs from that specific album before so im not surprised tbh.’
One said: ‘Don’t really care I’m just here to listen to music stop worrying about everything.’
Vikernes once received a copy of a manifesto from Anders Breivik (pictured) the far-right militant who killed 77 people in 2011
On Tuesday, West wore a black Ku Klux Klan type hood at an event promoting the album
On Tuesday, West hosted a controversial album listening event which saw the star branded a ‘disgusting human being’ by fans after the rapper wore a black Ku Klux Klan type hood.
The artist put on a fabric head covering featuring a point at the top at an overnight listening event with collaborator Ty Dolla Sign as they performed their controversial track Vultures which features vile lyrics about a Jewish woman.
Vultures features the ‘offensive’ lyrics: ‘How am I anti-Semitic? I just f***ed a Jewish b****.’
He was slammed by Jewish organizations who branded him ‘pathetic and sad’ over vile lyrics about a Jewish woman in his latest song.
The lyrics prompted a furious backlash among some fans at the time and has now prompted condemnation from the American Jewish Committee among others.
‘To fuel the flames of antisemitism and promote such bile to his millions of followers, especially at this fraught and dangerous time for the Jewish community, is unforgivable,’ spokesman Richard Hirschhaut told TMZ.
He added that the West’s choice is unsurprising however, given his previous antisemitic remarks.
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