Kanye West, now known as Ye, has stated that he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and has instead been diagnosed as autistic. Speaking on Justin Laboy’s podcast The Download, West revealed that his wife, Bianca Censori, encouraged him to seek a new diagnosis. “My wife took me to see a doctor because she felt my personality didn’t align with bipolar disorder,” he explained. “I’ve since discovered that I actually have autism.”
West shared that this new diagnosis has helped him understand his past behaviors, including his controversial support for Donald Trump in 2018, when he wore a “Make America Great Again” hat and publicly praised the former president. “Autism puts you in a Rain Man mindset,” he said. “I wore the Trump hat simply because I liked him. And when people told me not to, I became even more determined. That’s my issue.”
He also linked his autism to his approach to music and decision-making. “When fans suggest how I should make my album, I deliberately do the opposite,” he said, referencing his song Can’t Tell Me Nothing. He noted that his diagnosis has been challenging for those around him, including his friend and former manager Don C. “It’s tough for them because they care about me, but I’m a grown man. They can’t control my bank account or what I say online.”
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Although autism is not a mental illness, West’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian previously spoke about the struggles of managing his mental health. In 2020, she stated that when dealing with mental illness or compulsive behavior, “the family is powerless unless the individual is a minor. Those unfamiliar with this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the person must choose to get help.”
West previously acknowledged his bipolar disorder in his music, including the cover of his 2018 album Ye, which read: “I hate being Bi-Polar it’s awesome.” Reflecting on his past struggles, he said, “A lot of what triggered my episodes was the constant feeling of losing control,” referencing his 2022 fallout with Adidas after making antisemitic remarks.
Since learning of his autism diagnosis, West has stopped taking medication. “I haven’t taken meds since realizing bipolar wasn’t the right diagnosis,” he said. “I focus on avoiding things that block my creativity—that’s my gift to the world.” However, he remains cautious about his mental health. “I watch for warning signs, but if I spiral, it can last for days or even a week. Some people need to be kept out of the public eye in those moments.”
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During the interview, West also announced that his upcoming album, Bully, will be released on June 15—his daughter North West’s birthday. He revealed he has reconciled with producer Mike Dean, a longtime collaborator absent from his Vultures albums. Comparing Bully to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Gnarls Barkley’s work, he described it as a defining artistic statement.
West also cited The White Stripes as a major influence, particularly their song Seven Nation Army and its iconic stadium chant. “I tried twice to replicate that effect: first with Black Skinhead, then with All Day—which Paul McCartney actually based on his song When the Wind Is Blowing.” He noted that he revisited this idea on Carnival, a single from Vultures I, which topped the U.S. charts in March 2024, making him the only rapper with No. 1 hits in three separate decades.
Weighing in on the ongoing rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, West, who has had his own disputes with Drake, commented: “Man, Kendrick killed my nemesis!” He compared Drake to a superhero who “disappears for a few movies” but suggested this was temporary. “Drake changed the algorithm, he advanced us—just like Future did. Now Kendrick has raised the bar. If you’re a rapper and don’t study what he’s doing, you might get left behind.” Despite his admiration, West asserted his own dominance in hip-hop: “I’m the greatest that ever existed … but if you go up against Kendrick, you’re going to lose.”
West also stirred controversy this week by attending the Grammys with Censori, who wore a sheer minidress that some deemed overly provocative. Critics suggested that West may have influenced her fashion choices, but he framed it as a collaborative effort. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “We tailored that invisible dress six times, and just like magic—poof—we disappeared,” calling it an expression of her “rightful strength.”
Addressing the controversy, Grammys executive producer Raj Kapoor noted that the event’s “artistic black tie” dress code is “open to interpretation.” He clarified that performance outfits must meet certain standards, but attire for attendees is ultimately up to the Recording Academy.