Is Kanye West starting a cult?

Kanye West has always been embroiled in controversy, from bullying Taylor Swift to processing his divorce from Kim Kardashian in a very unhealthy public way, to now, starting a cult-like catholic school where students chant ‘Good morning Donda’ before classes.

Kanye has always been a creative mind, coming up with new tunes, new clothes, and new artistic concepts. But creating a school wasn’t something many endorsed.

The Donda academy, named after his late mother, promotes itself as a ‘reflection of God’s glory in the world.’

The school teaches arts, math, and science. “Students must be confident in forming ideas,” says the academy’s official page.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, tuition fees at the Donda Academy cost $15,000 a year.

The students all dress in black, specifically in Yeezy creations, Kanye’s brand. The school is reportedly not accredited yet, which means that graduated seniors might not have credits or diplomas recognized by colleges.

The school has now 82 enrolled students.

Students’ parents sign nondisclosure agreements before their kids join the school, which has now been operating for three years except that it has never been publicized.

After a video of students chanting ‘Good morning Donda’ went viral on Tiktok and Twitter, the platforms’ users did not seem to be happy with Kanye’s morning ritual at school, calling it very cult-like.

The very basic definition of a cult means a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.

Kanye West built the school in memory of his late mother Donda West. The school has an air of secrecy and a very inexperienced staff.

The Rolling Stone said that Brianne Campbell, the academy’s principal, and executive director, has not held a formal position as an educator before.

Disorder

Kanye has had a long history of mental illnesses throughout the years, especially bipolar

His mental ‘instability’ has always been reflected in his art through his creative way, but lately, it has been interfering with his private life in ways that might put his family at risk.

It was reported by US media that Kim Kardashian had no interest in allowing her and Kanye’s kid to attend the Donda academy.

But ever since Kanye revealed on Instagram that his kids go to the Sierra Canyon School of Los Angeles, Kim felt forced and obligated to move her kids to Donda to ensure maximum security.

Kanye has previously been called out for starting a cult with his religious Sunday service meetings.

In 2019, the gospel spectacle was called a celebrity cult by many; it showcased Kanye’s God complex perfectly: having people gather around him to chant religiously as if he is a figure that should be worshiped.

The services featured West as a rapper-turned-preacher in front of a live band and choir who are dressed in matching monochrome uniforms.

Each service was attended by a number of special guests.

One of the common points between the Donda academy and the Sunday services is that everyone attending should sign an NDA and avoid talking to the press at all costs, plus the matching outfits.

Despite the religious persona, Kanye has previously released a song in his album Yeezus called I am god, which many Christians considered to be blasphemous.

Even though the song refers to Kanye’s high status in the music industry, many found the title to be offensive.

The egotistical rapper is a magnet for controversies, but the most recent cult-building one through the Donda academy has seemed to raise questions on why should a self-centered mentally ill person with zero knowledge in the educational field, get the approval to build a schooling academy where many young fresh minds are being tutored, or tampered with?

Banned

The award-winning rapper-producer and designer has now been banned from using Twitter and Instagram after posting anti-semitic messages, accusing fellow rapper Diddy of being controlled by Jewish people.

Right after being banned from Instagram, Kanye tweeted an old picture of him and Mark Zuckerberg, the platform’s CEO, saying “Look at this Mark, how you gone kick me off Instagram,” further explaining that Mark used to be his friend.

Instagram and Twitter both banned the controversial rapper for violating policies on hate speech.