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Nick Cave says Kanye West is the ‘greatest artist on Earth’

Post on his Red Hand Files website was the first time the Bad Seeds frontman has offered an opinion on West

Annabel Nugent
Friday 17 January 2020 14:26 GMT
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Nick Cave has revealed he believes Kanye West is “our greatest artist” because there is “no musician on Earth that is as committed to their own derangement”.

Writing on his website The Red Hand Files, Cave responded to a fan who asked if he was a fan of the controversial rapper.

“Making art is a form of madness – we slip deep within our own singular vision and become lost to it,” Cave responded.

“There is no musician on Earth that is as committed to their own derangement as Kanye, and in this respect, at this point in time, he is our greatest artist.”

This is the first time Cave has spoken about his view on West, who released the gospel album Jesus is Born on Christmas day last year. The album, which was performed by the Sunday Service choir, signalled a more traditional approach to gospel for the rapper, following his gospel-influenced record Jesus is King.

The Red Hand Files was launched by Cave to allow him to interact directly with fans. The topics he addresses can cover everything from new music to his personal life, and even his thoughts on existential musicings such as: “How long will I be alone?”

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