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John Legend has shared his views on the downward spiral of musician Kanye West.
The 46-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer has collaborated with West, 47, numerous times over the years - including on the songs It's Over and Number One.
In the past week, West sparked fury when he released a new song and music video that glorified Adolf Hitler, and has also made repeated antisemitic comments in recent months.
Legend admits the behaviour of his former collaborator has been unsettling to witness and has cast his mind back to when the Bound 2 rapper acted as an executive producer on his 2004 debut album, Get Lifted.
He told The Times, "Back then, Kanye was very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams not only for himself but also for all the people around him.
"He had so much optimism, so much creativity. It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now."
West provoked a backlash when he released his single, titled Heil Hitler, on 8 May - which coincided with the 80th anniversary of VE Day in Europe.
The rap star has been shunned by the music community following the shock release of the single - with every streaming service reportedly boycotting the offensive track.
Music critics have also panned the tune, reviewing that it appeared to be crafted purely as an exercise to cause offence and offered no creative merit.
The 46-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer has collaborated with West, 47, numerous times over the years - including on the songs It's Over and Number One.
In the past week, West sparked fury when he released a new song and music video that glorified Adolf Hitler, and has also made repeated antisemitic comments in recent months.
Legend admits the behaviour of his former collaborator has been unsettling to witness and has cast his mind back to when the Bound 2 rapper acted as an executive producer on his 2004 debut album, Get Lifted.
He told The Times, "Back then, Kanye was very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams not only for himself but also for all the people around him.
"He had so much optimism, so much creativity. It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now."
West provoked a backlash when he released his single, titled Heil Hitler, on 8 May - which coincided with the 80th anniversary of VE Day in Europe.
The rap star has been shunned by the music community following the shock release of the single - with every streaming service reportedly boycotting the offensive track.
Music critics have also panned the tune, reviewing that it appeared to be crafted purely as an exercise to cause offence and offered no creative merit.