Kanye West releases music video targeting Pete Davidson; Public conflict stirs up controversy

      44-year-old rapper Kanye “Ye” West stirred up controversy with the recent release of his music video for “Eazy”—a song he released in January featuring The Game.  

      The claymation-style video portrays West and friends kidnapping Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson, dragging him with rope, burying him alive, growing roses over his head, and carrying his decapitated head.

      At the end of the video the words “everyone lived happily ever after” flashed on the screen followed by “except Skete,” which is West’s nickname for Davidson. The word “Skete” appears crossed out and is replaced by  the words “you know who.” The video ends with the words “(JK he’s fine).”

      Davidson began dating Kim Kardashian, West’s ex-wife, after she appeared on SNL in October 2021, which has sparked public attacks from the rapper directed towards Davidson. The “Eazy” music video was released on March 3, shortly after Kardashian was granted single-status by the judge.

      In “Eazy,” West sings “God saved me from that crash just so I can beat Pete Davidson’s a**.” Davidson has not publicly responded to West’s lyrics, video, or the many social media posts regarding him.

      Kaitlyn Mulholland, senior, commented “it [the music video] is not called for. Kim should be allowed to be happy with whoever she wants, I mean the divorce is filed.” She then added “I mean as long as her kids are happy and healthy and they agree with [the relationship] then there’s nothing wrong with it.”

      Alyssa Sporacco, senior, called the music video a “legitimate threat on somebody’s life” and feels that West is “crazy.” She explained that she is concerned for the rappers well-being. “I feel like we shouldn’t just be treating this as though it’s really hilarious […] like this man is mentally ill and in a manic episode. That’s why he’s acting like this.” Sporacco continued on to say, “this man [West] needs to not be on social media, he needs help.”

     Similarly, Mulholland feels that “Pete needs to be worried for his safety right now.” On the other hand, Julia Harris, senior, feels that the situation is just a publicity stunt for West. She explains “people are going to watch that video to see the controversy which means he’s going to make money.”

      However, not everyone is taking Davidson’s side. Ian Lewis, freshman, stated “I think he [West] is a pretty good artist and has done some pretty good things.” Lewis described the “Eazy” music video as “kind of funny.”

      Shaun Anderson, sophomore, shared that he would act the same way if someone was “messing with [his] baby mama.” Anderson commented “I can’t disagree with him [West]” and said that the musician “has every right to act that way.”