Kanye West has revealed that he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and has now been diagnosed with autism. Speaking with Justin Laboy on his podcast “The Download,” West, who goes by the name Ye, shared that his wife Bianca Censori suggested he get rediagnosed. “I went to this doctor… My wife took me to do that because she said, ‘Something about your personality doesn’t feel like it’s bipolar; I’ve seen bipolar before.’ And I’ve come to find that it’s really a case of autism that I have,” West said.
The diagnosis has helped West better understand some of his behavioral patterns, including his controversial actions in 2018 when he wore a cap reading “Make America Great Again” and praised Donald Trump. “Autism takes you to a Rain Man thing,” West said. “‘I’ma wear this Trump hat because I like Trump in general.’ And then when people tell you to not do it, you just get on that one point.
And that’s my problem.”
West mentioned his friend and former manager Don C, acknowledging how difficult it has been for those around him. “It’s been so hard on him because he loves me. It’s so difficult for them because this is like a grown man – you can’t take control of his bank account, you can’t control what I’m saying on Twitter.”
Kim Kardashian, West’s ex-wife, has similarly acknowledged the difficulty of managing his mental health.
“Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behavior know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor,” she said, emphasizing that individuals must engage in the process of getting help themselves.
Kanye’s journey through autism diagnosis
West also discussed no longer taking medication for his mental health, as autism is not medicated.
“I haven’t taken the medication since I found out that bipolar wasn’t the right diagnosis. It’s finding stuff that doesn’t block the creativity; obviously, that’s what I bring to the world.”
In other topics, West announced that his new album “Bully” would be released on his daughter North West’s birthday, June 15. He spoke about reconciling with Mike Dean, the producer who worked on all his studio albums until a recent falling out.
He described “Bully” as his “Miseducation [of Lauryn Hill], my Gnarls Barkley album.” He also cited the White Stripes as a major inspiration for a series of solo tracks, commenting on how “Seven Nation Army” is chanted at football games. West also offered his thoughts on the beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. “I was like: man, [Lamar] killed my nemesis!” He compared Drake to a superhero who “just goes away for a couple of films,” but added, “Drake added something to the algorithm, to our frequency, he advanced us.
Future advanced us, now Kendrick has advanced the frequency.”
The rapper caused controversy this week by attending the Grammys with Censori, who wore a sheer minidress. The outfit was seen as provocative by some, while others suggested it was coercion by West. West framed it as a collaboration, writing on X: “We tailored that invisible dress 6 times and just like magic poof we disappeared,” citing her “rightful strength.”
Raj Kapoor, executive producer of the Grammys, acknowledged the “artistic black tie” dress code at the awards is “open to interpretation,” adding: “Obviously there is a dress code for anybody actually performing on the show that we have to adhere to standards and practices.
But as far as people attending and nominees attending, that would be something the Academy would have to answer.”
Kanye West continues to be a polarizing figure in both music and public discourse, with his recent revelations adding new dimensions to the public’s understanding of his behavior and artistic output.
