Kanye West’s latest single, “Heil Hitler,” has been removed from all major streaming platforms just a day after its release. The song, which was first uploaded to SoundCloud on May 8, 2025, has since faced severe backlash for its inflammatory content and was taken down from X (formerly Twitter) as well. West's response to the removal has sparked further controversy.
The Grammy-winning artist, now known as Ye, expressed his frustration on social media, criticizing the platforms for what he perceives as double standards. He pointed to Randy Newman’s song “Rednecks,” which contains racial slurs but remains available for streaming, and John Lennon’s song “Woman is the N-gger of the World” as examples of hypocrisy. West argued, “While Rednecks by Randy Newman remains streamable, they’re literally keeping the n—-s down.”
“Heil Hitler” has drawn significant controversy not only for its title but also for its lyrics and themes. In the track, Ye addresses personal grievances, such as his inability to see his children despite his wealth and fame, rapping, “With all this money and fame, I still can’t get my kids back.” The song features inflammatory lyrics, including the repeated chant “N-gga, Heil Hitler,” and the music video includes a group of Black men in animal skins chanting the song's refrain.
The song is expected to be included on West’s upcoming album titled “Cuck,” which has already drawn criticism due to its cover artwork featuring two figures dressed in Ku Klux Klan robes. Additionally, the album will reportedly include other controversial tracks, such as “Cousins,” which contains lyrics about a disturbing past relationship with a cousin.
West’s release of “Heil Hitler” has not gone unnoticed by various advocacy groups and public figures. Jim Berk, the CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, condemned the song as hate speech, stating, “Kanye West’s release of a song entitled ‘Heil Hitler’ on VE Day, the anniversary of the defeat of the Nazi regime, is hate speech, pure and simple.” Berk also criticized the social media platform X for allowing such content, calling for West’s removal from the platform and urging other distributors to refuse to host or monetize the song.
In his social media posts, West has claimed that his song has been “banned by all digital streaming platforms,” including iTunes and Spotify. Following the removal from SoundCloud, he lamented, “Heil Hitler by Ye has been banned by all digital streaming platforms.” Despite the backlash, West remains determined to perform the song at his upcoming shows, stating, “I am doing Heil Hitler at all my shows.”
The music video for “Heil Hitler” features a group of men chanting, “All my n—as Nazis, n—as Heil Hitler,” and includes audio clips from a speech by Adolf Hitler. Ye’s lyrics express his frustrations over custody issues with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian regarding their four children, as well as claiming that banks are freezing his accounts. He raps, “I became a Nazi yet b—h, I’m the villain,” which has further intensified the backlash against him.
West's controversial remarks and behavior have drawn criticism over the years, particularly since he began publicly embracing antisemitic beliefs in 2022. His actions have led to the loss of lucrative corporate partnerships and support from much of the music industry. In recent weeks, he has been seen with white supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, with whom he dined with former President Donald Trump in 2022.
The American Jewish Committee has also condemned the song, with CEO Ted Deutch stating, “This is blatant antisemitism, and it’s disgusting. Ye is profiting off of Jew-hatred, and the music industry needs to step up and speak out against this obscenity.”
Despite the uproar, Ye has continued to express his views on social media, including praising Jewish livestreamer Adin Ross while simultaneously making derogatory comments about Jewish people in previous posts. In February 2025, during a feud with Ross, he wrote on X, “JEWS ARE ARROGANT AND THINK THEY CAN SPEAK TO ANYONE THEY WANT ANY KIND OF WAY THAT’S WHY EVERY JEWISH WIFE IS A BITCH.”
West’s upcoming album, “WW3,” released in April 2025, features the track “Heil Hitler” among eleven other songs with similarly controversial titles. The album has intensified the backlash he has been facing over his social media comments and public appearances, including wearing KKK-inspired outfits.
Fans have expressed disappointment over West’s insistence on performing the problematic tracks, with some commenting that he is destroying his own legacy. One user remarked, “Kanye West will be remembered as one of the greatest artists who destroyed his own legacy.” Another fan echoed this sentiment, urging him to move on and create music that resonates positively with audiences.
As the controversy surrounding “Heil Hitler” continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the music industry and the public will respond to West’s provocative statements and actions. His determination to include the song in his performances suggests that he is willing to face the backlash, but the implications of his actions on his career and public perception are still unclear.
In a world increasingly aware of hate speech and its consequences, Kanye West’s latest endeavors raise critical questions about accountability, artistic expression, and the limits of free speech in the digital age. As the rapper navigates this tumultuous landscape, the impact of his actions on his legacy and the broader cultural conversation about hate and tolerance will undoubtedly be significant.
