Kanye West, now going by Ye, is once again in the middle of a disturbing controversy. His upcoming album, WW3, is already setting off alarms online with its alarming content, antisemitic themes, and imagery that folks are calling flat-out destructive.
The 11-track album features titles like “Heil Hitler,” “Hitler Ye and Jesus,” and “Free Diddy.” Ye posted a handwritten version of the tracklist to social media, and it included swastika drawings and other Nazi references. That post alone sent shockwaves across the internet, with fans, artists, and advocacy groups calling it hateful and irresponsible.
Then came the album cover, a photo showing people dressed in what looks like KKK-inspired outfits. The black-and-white image has been called racist, violent, and meant to provoke.
But Ye isn’t just making noise with political and religious references. He’s also getting personal. One of the tracks, “Bianca,” takes aim at his relationship with Bianca Censori, blaming their split on his own social media behavior. The lyrics reportedly get real about his role in the breakup and show a side of Ye that’s more reflective, even if it’s buried under controversy.
Another standout is “Virgil Let Me Down,” where Ye vents frustration toward late fashion icon Virgil Abloh. The two had a complicated history, and in the track, Ye allegedly suggests Abloh betrayed him before he passed. That decision to call out someone no longer here to respond has sparked a whole new round of backlash from fans and fashion insiders alike.
There’s also confusion around when, or even if, the album will drop. DJ Akademiks said WW3 was dropping April 3, but as of now, it’s nowhere to be found on streaming platforms. And if history tells us anything, Ye’s timelines are shaky at best. Projects like Donda and Jesus Is King faced multiple delays and last-minute changes before release — if they dropped at all.
This isn’t the first time Ye’s leaned into shock value. His recent release, Bully, was full of drama, with chaotic visuals and disses aimed at everyone from industry peers to public figures. But with WW3, it feels like he’s pushing even further into dangerous territory.
Civil rights groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, are already speaking out. Some are urging platforms like Spotify and Apple Music to block the album completely if it promotes hate or violence. So far, no major streaming service has confirmed whether it plans to carry the project.
Ye hasn’t said much in response to the backlash. But the reaction is loud — and growing louder. Whether this is another calculated move or something deeper, one thing is clear: WW3 is lighting a fire that won’t be easy to put out.
