Kanye West has a reputation for making inflammatory statements, but it seems that his recent statements - most notably his declaration of intent to run for president - might be something more serious.
A source close to the rapper and his family told TMZ that his friends and family believe that he is in the throes of a bipolar episode.
The source said that his family are concerned, and that he averages an episode perhaps once a year - "but they believe things will stabilize as they have in the past," they reportedly said. "The problem here, we're told -- Kanye's proclamations are causing problems."
The rapper's recent bizarre interview in Forbes magazine saw him denounce vaccines as 'the mark of the beast' and state his belief that 'they want to put chips inside of us, they want to do all kinds of things, to make it where we can’t cross the gates of heaven."
He also said that if he wins the presidential race, "then it was God’s appointment", claimed that the coronavirus was a result of humans doing things that "make God mad", and said that he intends to "clean up chemicals" when he becomes president: "In our deodorant, in our toothpaste, there are chemicals that affect our ability to be of service to God."
West has been open about his bipolar diagnosis in the past, even describing it as his 'superpower' in one song - but has claimed that he was using other non-medicinal forms of therapy to cope with it.
Yesterday, West encouraged US citizens to register to vote, posting pictures of his four kids on Twitter.
If you or someone you know is struggling with bipolar disorder or other mental health issues, help is available. Contact 50808, Samaritans Ireland, or Aware.
