The Tortured Artist: Kanye West and Bipolar Disorder
Over the last two years, Kanye West’s actions have been nothing short of polarizing from his endorsement of Donald Trump, to his controversial social media posts, to his run for President during a heated election. Kanye West is one of 2.3 million Americans affected by bipolar disorder, a mood disorder in which the host alternates between intense depression and intense excitement. This isn’t something the artist has hidden, plastering “I hate being bi-polar [sic], its awesome [sic]” on the album cover of “Ye,” mentioning it in his lyrics as his “superpower,” and calling his mental breakdowns “breakthroughs.”
Being mentally ill does not make one bad or untrustworthy. However, the romanticization of mental illness is very controversial, especially from someone with Kanye West’s influence. West is giving credibility to the “tortured artist” trope, a stock archetype of an artist whose creativity is highest during a state of suffering. According to this archetype, these creatives’ mental suffering give them a creative advantage that allows them to create unprecedented art. Artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Allen Poe, and Kanye West cope with their intense suffering by putting art out into the world.
The problem with this archetype is that it doesn’t explain how or why an artist’s work moves the public, why they are skilled, or how their mental suffering is necessary for creativity. This archetype is also damaging to artists because it justifies their refusal to seek help.
Kanye West’s refusal to properly address his mental illness in pursuit of his creative and business endeavors fuels the success of the “tortured artist” narrative. In 2018, he tweeted, “I cannot be on meds and make watch [sic] the throne level or dark fantasy level music.” In a similar tweet, he stated, “I’m loving the new music I’ve been working on. 6 months off meds [sic] I can feel me again.” Although there are many side effects of medication that hinder productivity, ignoring bipolar disorder for the sake of art is reckless.
As an influencer of multiple mediums, a husband, and a father of four, West’s carelessness for his own mental health has alarmed many. He broke down emotionally at a rally for his campaign. He tweeted about his loved ones ignoring his mental issues. He relieved himself on a Grammy. Many say that his antics are just a way to gain traction for promotion and clout, but labeling his emotional breakdowns and tweets about his mental health as “clout-chasing” trivializes real mental health red flags.
What many find the most concerning is that many Americans don’t view West’s behavior as erratic because it’s Kanye West who is doing it. Many believe that his status as a creative is so high that his moments of true suffering, vulnerability, and instability are merely the actions of a misunderstood genius. But his actions aren’t an esoteric message from a divine creative being. This is alarming behavior for many and they hope for these issues to be addressed before West does something bad to himself or to others.
West’s art has inspired people to pursue art from a no-holds-barred approach. His art has helped many cope with their own mental health struggles, and his expression of his struggles makes people feel less alone. But, art aside, Kanye West is a man with a wife, kids, and friends. Many of his fans believe that, for the sake of his health, it’s best for West to acknowledge his bipolar disease and how it affects him before it is too late.