Overview

• In a letter penned by chief of staff Milo Yiannopoulos, Kanye West demands the music industry and major platforms refer to him as 'Ye', his legally changed name.
• The name change, described by West as shedding a 'slave name', was legally formalized in October 2021.
• West, now 'Ye', emphasizes the change reflects his right to self-determination as a Black man in America.
• The artist has previously linked his chosen name 'Ye' to its common use in the Bible, suggesting a broader, inclusive identity.
• The move has precedent in the entertainment industry, with artists like Diddy and Prince having undergone similar public rebrandings.