Kanye West Voices Support for Donald Trump, Urges Fans to 'Stop Talking about Race So Much'

Kanye West
Kanye West acknowledges attendees before his Yeezy Season 3 Collection presentation and listening party for the ''The Life of Pablo'' album during New York Fashion Week February 11, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Kanye West was booed off the stage at a recent concert after he voiced his support for President-elect Donald Trump and urged his fans to "stop talking about race so much".

During an appearance in San Jose, Calif., the controversial rapper said he did not vote this election - but if he had, he would have backed Trump.

"I said something that was kind of politically correct. I told y'all I didn't vote, right? What I didn't tell you ... If I were to have voted I would have voted on Trump," West told the fans at the concert. "I wanted to say that before the election, but they told me, 'Whatever you do, don't say that aloud.'"

The "Jesus Walks" singer went on to refer to Trump as a "genius" for his poll-defying win on Nov. 8th: "Not only did I not vote, but there were a lot of things I actually liked about Trump's campaign," he said.

According to the San Jose Mercury, West's comments didn't sit well with his crowd, who began to boo and throw shoes and articles of clothing at the stage. Video footage of the event shows that a fight even broke out as well.

Nevertheless, West continued to explain his support for Trump, who had the support of just 3 percent of African-Americans throughout his campaign.

"That don't mean that I don't think that Black Lives Matter, that I don't mean that I don't think I believe in women's rights ... because that was the guy I would've voted for," he said.

The rapper, who said he plans to run for president in 2020, went on to tell his fans to "stop talking about race so much."

"This world is racist, OK? Let's stop being distracted to focus on that as much. It's just a f--king fact. We are in a racist country, period. Do not allow people to make us talk about that so f--king long. Let's talk about whatever the f--k we wanna talk about," he said.

He also praised music for its power to unify the country after a contentious election, saying, "I'm not asking ya'll on your opinions on who's better, but there are people who voted for either side that come together for music."

West's stance comes as a surprise to some, as his wife, reality star Kim Kardashian vocally supported Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton throughout the election.

After attending a event with Clinton last year, Kim posted a picture with the former Secretary of State and her husband, writing: 'I got my selfie!! I really loved hearing (Clinton) speak and hearing her goals for our country. #HillaryforPresident.'

However, USA Today notes that West's declaration validates President-elect Trump, who last year said he knew West was a supporter - even though he was forced to hide his political views.

"I'll never say bad about him, because he loves Trump," he said, responding to West's speech at the MTV Video Music Awards hinting at a presidential run. "He goes around saying Trump is my all-time hero. He says it to everybody. So Kanye West, I love him."

He added, "Now, maybe in a few years I'll have to run against him, I don't know, so I'll take that back."

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