“Heil Hitler”: Kanye West’s Song Is Not Satire, It’s a Weapon of Hate

Kanye West, now known as Ye, has once again ignited outrage with his unreleased track “Heil Hitler,” previewed during a livestream in April 2025.

The song is part of his upcoming album Cuck (previously titled WW3).

The Lyrics: A Celebration of Nazism

The lyrics of “Heil Hitler” are explicitly inflammatory. Ye raps, “So I became a Nazi, yeah, bitch, I’m the villain,” and repeatedly chants, “Nigga, Heil Hitler,” in the chorus, directly referencing the Nazi salute and Hitler’s regime. He ties his embrace of Nazism to personal struggles, stating, “With all of the money and fame I still can’t get my kids back… so I became a Nazi.”

These lines suggest that his adoption of extremist ideology is a response to personal pain, trivializing the atrocities of the Holocaust and the suffering of millions. The casual use of racial slurs alongside Nazi rhetoric furthers the song’s offensive nature, blending multiple forms of bigotry into a single, toxic narrative.

Ye also references his controversial social media presence, rapping, “They don’t understand the things I say on Twitter.” This line appears to dismiss criticism of his antisemitic posts, which have included praising Hitler and denying the Holocaust.

Antisemitism in Context

The song’s title and content are part of Ye’s well-documented pattern of antisemitic behavior. Since 2022, he has made increasingly brazen statements, including declaring “I love Hitler” on Alex Jones’s Infowars, posting a swastika intertwined with a Star of David on X, and selling T-shirts emblazoned with swastikas labeled “HH-01” (code for “Heil Hitler”).

These actions led to severed partnerships with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga, as well as suspensions from social media platforms. In February 2025, Ye retracted a 2023 apology to the Jewish community, proclaiming himself a “Nazi” in a social media rant.

“Heil Hitler” builds on this trajectory, weaponizing Ye’s platform to normalize Nazi ideology.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has warned that Ye’s rhetoric is “dangerous and irresponsible,” noting that his 2022 antisemitic comments were linked to 30 antisemitic incidents nationwide. By invoking Hitler, Ye not only trivializes historical trauma but also encourages white supremacists and neo-Nazis, as evidenced by white nationalist Nick Fuentes predicting stadiums of fans chanting “Heil Hitler.”

Why It’s Evil

1. Glorification of Genocide: The Holocaust was one of history’s greatest atrocities, with millions systematically murdered under Hitler’s regime. By chanting “Heil Hitler” and calling himself a Nazi, Ye glorifies a symbol of unimaginable suffering, spitting in the face of survivors and their descendants. This is not artistic expression; it is a deliberate act of cruelty.

2. Exploitation of Pain: Ye’s claim that his inability to see his children drove him to Nazism is a grotesque manipulation. It equates personal struggles with the ideology that fueled a genocide, cheapening both the Holocaust’s gravity and his own circumstances. This narrative also risks resonating with others who feel disenfranchised, potentially radicalizing vulnerable listeners.

3. Spreading Hate: With 32 million followers on X, Ye’s influence is undeniable. His rhetoric provides a megaphone for antisemitic tropes, fueling real-world harm. The ADL has noted a rise in antisemitic violence globally, and Ye’s words contribute to this climate of fear. His collaboration with figures like Fuentes, a known Holocaust denier, further legitimizes extremist ideologies.

4. Moral Bankruptcy: Ye’s defenders, including some X users, argue that “Heil Hitler” is a “troll” or a bid for attention. But provocation for provocation’s sake is not neutral when it targets a historically oppressed group. The song’s catchy production and Ye’s cultural cachet risk normalizing hate, making it palatable to fans who might otherwise reject such ideas.

While some argue that ignoring Ye is the best response, silence risks normalizing his behavior. Liora Rez of StopAntisemitism has emphasized that Ye’s influence makes his rhetoric uniquely dangerous, urging platforms to curb his reach. The song’s timing, released just before Victory Day, commemorating the defeat of Nazism, adds extra insensitivity.

Kanye West’s “Heil Hitler” is not a misunderstood work of art or a clever provocation: it is antisemitic filth that glorifies a genocidal ideology, exploits personal pain to justify hate, and endangers Jewish communities by normalizing Nazi rhetoric.