Singer Akon says that Kanye West’s anti-semitic comments do not bother him because “They do not affect me personally.”
The “Lonely” singer made the comments on an appearance on Sky News’ Breakfast Show, saying he supports people having their own opinions.
It came after Kanye, aka Ye, 45, heaped praise on Adolf Hitler and said people needed to “stop dissing the Nazis” in a disturbing interview with far-right pundit Alex Jones this week.
Akon was asked by Sky News presenter Anna Jones to explain his continued support for Kanye despite his shocking statements.
He said: “I show support for opinion and I think people will always have a specific opinion and I think the moment we get to the place where we close our minds up to other people’s opinion, it kind of doesn’t allow us to get to better know each other…
“I think sometimes we should open up our minds and let things play all the way out and better understand the situation.’
He said he was “a backer of the right to believe what you want to believe” and said he would let Kanye know he disagreed with him if they had a conversation, but that “communication is key”.
When asked if the comments made by Kanye troubled him, he said: “Not really because those comments don’t really affect me personally… and if it does affect you personally then find a way to actually respond in a way to where that conversation can be reciprocated.
“I think sometimes when someone is offended they just lash out in defence, or lash out to make that person feel the same offence that they felt, and I think when you take negative and apply a response negatively, you will only get negative back.
He added: “Don’t take things too personally yet until you understand the situation.”
