Kanye West condemned for 'victim-blaming' lyrics in collaboration with XXXTentacion

The lyrics of "One Minute", the featuring between West and XXXTentacion, includes the line "The defendant is guilty, no one blames the plaintiff"

Kanye West attends Prada Mode Miami Night 3 at Freehand Miami on 6 December, 2018 in Miami, Florida. ((Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Prada))

Kanye West has been criticised for lyrics included in his recent collaboration with late rapper XXXTentacion, which have been widely panned as "victim-blaming".

"One Minute" appears on Skins, XXXTentacion's posthumous album, released on Friday.

The song is a featuring between West and XXXTentacion – real name Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy. Skins is being released six months after XXXTentacion was shot and killed in Florida during an apparent robbery.

"One Minute"'s lyrics read in part: "Now your name is tainted, by the claims they paintin’

"The defendant is guilty, no one blames the plaintiff."

Prior to his death, XXXXTentacion was accused of beating up his pregnant ex-girlfriend. He had been charged with the aggravated battery of a pregnant victim, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment and witness tampering.

A source close to West told Billboard that the 41-year-old "is not defending XXX or referencing anyone in particular" with the song.

But many listeners took issue with the lyrics of "One Minute" and condemned the song for apparently placing the blame on "the plaintiff".

"Kanye West fell further into the abyss of cancelled [with] that victim-blaming lyric in 'One Minute'," one person tweeted.

One Twitter user referred to the passage as "the worst lyrics ever written".

"Just so it’s completely clear, people DO 'blame the plaintiff,'" another person wrote.

"Victim-shaming is a thing. Being doubted and interrogated when you report sexual assault is a thing. Almost zero reported sexual assaults are ever even brought to trial, let alone lead to convictions. Bye Kanye."

Someone else deemed the lyrics "inexcusable".

"Victim blaming, aye? Boy that Kanye West is a real stand up guy," another person tweeted ironically.