The 53-year-old musician also criticized today's artists for being more concerned with their social media profile than their music.
- June 22, 2018
AceShowbiz - Trent Reznor has slammed the intense media coverage of Kanye West, as he thinks the rapper has "lost his mind".
Kanye caused a media sensation in April by tweeting in support of U.S. President Donald Trump and claiming in an interview that slavery seemed like a "choice". The hip-hop legend sparked another frenzy by launching his new album "Ye", his first since he was hospitalised in 2016 following an apparent breakdown, with a lavish party at a ranch in Wyoming last month.
In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, Trent criticised the number of column inches devoted to Kanye's controversial statements and new record, claiming the album "sucked" and journalists should've been unafraid to question his wellbeing.
Trent said: "How many Kanye West thinkpieces have the Guardian done in the last f**king month? The guy's lost his f**king mind: that's the thinkpiece. His record sucked, and that's it. He has made great s**t; he's not in a great place right now."
The 53-year-old musician also criticised today's artists for being more concerned with their social media profile than their music.
"I don't think great art comes from being overly concerned or hyper-aware of what your audience's expectations are," he explained. "Market your brand: that's part of what being an artist is, sadly."
The Nine Inch Nails rocker also said he believes social media has been a "poisonous" influence on people's lives and added: "I think you're seeing the fall of the empire of America in real time, before your eyes; the internet has eroded the fabric of decency in our civilisation."
One rapper who has impressed Trent however, is Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino - whose recent track "This Is America" and its accompanying video he singled out for praise.
"Choreography: excellent," he said of the video, which features Donald dancing energetically in front of a violently riots. "Camerawork: excellent. What's actually being said: I'm really thinking about it. I feel humbled by that - it reminded me that the bar can be as high as it needs to be."
