Five of Kanye West's most controversial moments

Twitter takes down tweet by the ‘All Falls Down' singer less than 24 hours after he is suspended from Instagram

Rapper Kanye West has never been short of controversies. Photo: Invision / AP

Social media platform Instagram has once again suspended Kanye West’s account for posting inflammatory content online.

On Friday, Meta — the company that owns Instagram — suspended the rapper's account saying it was “violating Instagram’s rules and guidelines”.

The rapper — who now goes by the name Ye — posted a now-deleted screenshot of a conversation between himself and Sean Combs aka P Diddy on Instagram on Friday that was rendered “anti-Jewish” by the American Jewish Committee on the social media platform.

Meta did not specify which post had violated terms, nor did it state how long West’s account would be restricted.

The Gold Digger singer then decided to make a comeback on Twitter, where he was welcomed warmly by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk. But on Saturday night, the platform had already removed one of the rapper's tweets, also stating it violated Twitter rules.

However, the latest headlines are far from the first time West has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Here are five times he’s caused controversy.

1. Trolling Justin Bieber’s wife over White Lives Matter t-shirts

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber at the 64th annual Grammy Awards in April. EPA

The Heartless star also found time this week to troll Justin Bieber’s wife Hailey Bieber, causing the Canadian singer to call time on their friendship, according to TMZ.

“They want corny [...] Gigi Hadid and nose job Hailey Baldloose to rally behind an obvious Corey Gamble level non-fashion industry plant,” West wrote on Instagram.

Earlier in the week, Hailey voiced her support of Vogue fashion editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, who criticised West’s highly controversial White Lives Matter T-shirts which debuted at Paris Fashion Week.

West further incited the flames by posting a screenshot of an old news story reporting dating rumours between Hailey and Canadian rapper Drake.

2. Kardashian drama and an Instagram ban

In September, West publicly shared several explosive messages that he sent Kardashian, who filed for divorce. Reuters

Kanye West’s relationship with Kim Kardashian has been drama-filled from start to end.

The pair started dating in 2011 and welcomed daughter, North West, two years later. In May 2014, they married in a lavish ceremony in Florence, Italy with more than 200 guests and a budget of more than $6 million. Since then, the couple have had three more children, been in and out of the headlines, and split up very publicly seven years after their Italian nuptials.

Last month, West publicly shared several explosive messages that he sent Kardashian, who filed for divorce, and former mother-in-law Kris Jenner while going on to publicly harass the reality TV star.

In March, he was banned from Instagram for 24 hours after directing racial hatred towards South Africa’s renowned TV host and comedian Trevor Noah, who had called out the rapper for harassing Kardashian.

The Daily Show host later said that West deserved redemption.

3. Kanye for US president

Kanye West with former US president Donald Trump. AP file

As he rejoins Twitter after a two-year hiatus, West seems to be reigniting his presidential aspirations. The last post West made was in November last year, and shows an image of himself in front of an electoral-style map of the US linked to his attempt to run for president.

In this first presidential attempt, West appeared on the ballot in 12 states, and missed the filing deadline in most others. He gathered the most votes in Tennessee — a state that typically favours Republican candidates — where he gathered more than 10,000 votes.

He eventually conceded after collecting only 60,000 votes out of an estimated 160m total. West is now threatening to run for office again in 2024.

4. Interrupting Taylor Swift

Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift on stage during her VMA acceptance speech in 2009. AP / Jason DeCrow, File

Perhaps the rapper's most memorable moment of controversy occurred at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, when West infamously interrupted Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech for Best Female Video.

The rapper jumped on stage and took over the microphone after she had been handed her award. He told Swift that he was “going to let you finish,” before declaring that Beyonce should have won the award as she had "one of the best videos of all time".

West later apologised to Swift, but it’s no secret that the singers have bad blood.

5. Calling slavery a choice

Kanye West sparked outrage after he described American slavery as 'a choice'. Photo: Invision / AP File

During an appearance on TMZ Live, West wore a red Make America Great Again baseball cap, the same one favoured by former US president Donald Trump's supporters, and caused uproar with his comments on slavery.

“When you hear about slavery for 400 years. For 400 years? That sound like a choice,” he said.

Reporter Van Lathan spoke out against the comment, telling West there would be “real-life consequences behind everything that you just said.”

West later apologised on live radio for his remark, saying “I'm sorry for hurting, I'm sorry for the one-two effect of the Maga hat into the slave comment.”

From knit jumpers to fur coats: Kanye West's style evolution in pictures

will.i.am and Kanye West, in a knitted jumper, pose backstage during the MTV Europe Music Awards at Tor di Valle November 18, 2004 in Rome, Italy. Getty Images

Anastacia and Kanye West, in a pink golfing-inspired ensemble, attend the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 18, 2004 at Tor di Valle, in Rome, Italy. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a casual white outfit, arrives at the 13th annual MTV Europe Music Awards at the Bella Centre on November 2, 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a laid-back navy suit, attends a Fendi party at the National Stadium on November 30, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a plaid shirt, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Christian Dior show on October 1, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in shades of brown, and Alexis Phifer arrive for the Stella McCartney show on October 4, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a polo shirt and cardigan, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Chloe fashion show on October 6, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in checked tailoring, leaves the Louis Vuitton fashion show on October 7, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a grey trench, arrives at the Yves Saint Laurent fashion show on February 28, 2008 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in sneakers and a printed jacket, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Chloe fashion show on March 1, 2008 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in retro tailoring, attends Elie Saab fashion show during on January 28, 2009 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a bow tie and denim jacket, attends the Narciso Rodriguez fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City on February 17, 2009. EPA

Kanye West, in double denim, attends the Vivienne Westwood Red Label show as part of London Fashion Week on February 21, 2009 in London, England. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a bomber jacket and YSL tee, and Amber Rose attend the Givenchy fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on March 8, 2009 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a white tux, and Amber Rose attend the Givenchy show during Paris Fashion Week on January 26, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a classic tux, and Selita Ebanks leave the Grazia Masquerade Ball at Opera Garnier on October 5, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in all black, arrives for the Australian premiere of his music video 'Runaway' at the Hoyts Entertainment Centre Cinema on October 11, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a leopard bomber, attends the Vivienne Westwood show during Paris Fashion Week on March 4, 2011 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a chic tux, and Carine Roitfeld attend amfAR's Cinema Against Aids Gala during the 64th Cannes Film Festival at Hotel Du Cap on May 19, 2011 in Antibes, France. Getty Images

Chanel Iman and Kanye West, in a tee and blazer, attend the Givenchy show during Paris Fashion Week on October 2, 2011 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a denim jacket and chains, during London Fashion Week at Somerset House on February 20, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in all white, attend the Valentino show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 4, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in Dior, arrives at the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in a crisp white suit, attend the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 3, 2013 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Givenchy, attend the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2013. EPA

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Givenchy, attend the Givenchy show as part of the Paris Fashion Week on September 29, 2013 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a fur coat, attends the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 17, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Lanvin, arrive for the Met Gala in New York on May 5, 2014. EPA

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Balmain, attend the Balmain show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 25, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Lanvin, attend the Lanvin show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 25, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, attends the Celine show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in leather trousers, and Kim Kardashian arrive for the Lacma Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, California, on November 1, 2014. EPA

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Balmain, arrive for the 57th annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2015. EPA

Kanye West, in a white suit jacket, during London Fashion Week at St Paul's Cathedral on February 20, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, in Balmain, and Kris Jenner attend the Balmain show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in a black blazer, Olivier Rousteing and Kim Kardashian attend the Balmain dinner as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in Dior, and Lorde attend the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear on March 6, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, and Kim Kardashian attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear on March 11, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, and Kim Kardashian arrive for the Time 100 Gala in New York on April 21, 2015. EPA

Kayne West, in Yeezy, and Kim Kardashian arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on August 30, 2015. EPA

Kris Jenner and Kanye West, in Dries Van Noten, attend the Vogue 95th Anniversary Party on October 3, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in Balmain, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 2, 2016. EPA

Kanye West, in Louis Vuitton, and Kim Kardashian attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 21, 2018 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Kanye West, in Duhill, attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 92nd annual Academy Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, on February 9, 2020. EPA