John Legend says it was “shocking” to see the public “descent” of his ex-friend and former business associate Kanye West after he went from musical genius to a controversial figure. “Back then Kanye was very passionate,

I didn’t see a hint of what we’re seeing now, his obsessions with antisemitism, anti-Blackness,” the Grammy winner said of his former relationship with the rapper.

John Legend is sharing his thoughts about his former friend and business partner, Kanye West. In a recent sitdown with The Times of London, Legend said it’s “shocking” to see what has become of the once prolific artist and mourned the days of friendship and shared passion he had with West back in the mid-2000s.