“You can really be bipolar.. and still be super creative”: Yung Lean opens up about his relationship with Kanye West

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Yung Lean opens up about his relationship with Kanye West. (Photo by Irvin Rivera/Getty Images for YouTube)

Swedish rapper Yung Lean has reportedly opened up about his relationship with Kanye West. During his appearance on The New York Times' Popcast on November 6, he elaborated on his experiences as a teen music sensation and the reasons he chose to distance himself from Ye.

He told hosts Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli about his experiences working with other rappers, including Travis Scott and Ye. Thinking of the latter, Yung noted that he is "mentally ill" and that he can "feel for him". He added,

"All the stuff that he says for Jewish people and my grandfather was Jewish. I don't know, I can't defend him, it's a mentally ill person, who still did 'Flashing Lights.'"

He added that he has been talking a lot about how one doesn't have to "glamorize" taking medications or being diagnosed with mental health conditions. He added that he wants to dispel the myths surrounding mental health medication and noted,

"You can really be bipolar, on medication, and still be super creative."

Yung Lean talks about distancing himself from Kanye West while empathising with him

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2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Roaming Arrivals - Source: Getty. (Photo by Rich Fury/VF20/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

Yung Lean has opened up about his relationship with Kanye West and described him as a "good heart." He added that he has not met Ye for a long time, since it can be "too much." He recalled that he had met him three years ago for dinner, and they had discussed ideas. However, the vibe had changed the next time he met Ye when the tweets started coming in. He added,

"The best thing I could do is not make a song with this man."

Thinking of his own mental health conditions, including experiencing mania and psychosis, Yung Lean noted that certain things worked for him, but Kanye West isn't going to "listen to anyone."

He explained that he felt that he was being "dragged" into something that might impact him. As a consequence, he decided to distance himself from Ye but continues to empathise with him. He added,

"Everything is misconstrued these days with the internet and the comments because everyone wants one side or the other, say yes or no. But life's not that simple, it's not black or white."

Yung Lean has opened up about his experiences as a teen musician who struggled with substance use and mental health conditions. He also reflected on his relationship with other artists, including distancing himself from Kanye West.

Edited by Janvi Kapur