Image via Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images //

I miss the old Kanye…

Following recent antisemitic comments and his controversial wearing of a ‘White Lives Matter’ shirt during a fashion show, Kanye West is now copping heat for his notorious “Slavery was a choice” rant from 2018. Specifically, it West has been accused of making pro-Hitler statements during the 2018 interview with TMZ, which were ultimately cut from the finished product.

The revelations came via former TMZ staffer Van Lathan Jr., who rose to fame following his arguing with West in the viral clip. Appearing on the latest episode of podcast Higher Learning, the media personality explained how he wasn’t surprised by West’s recent meltdown, stating that, “I already heard him say that stuff before at TMZ. I mean, I was taken aback because that type of antisemitic talk is disgusting.”

He also explained why it was removed from the final cut, adding,  “The reason they took it out is because it wouldn’t have made sense unless they kept in Kanye saying he loved Hitler and the Nazis, which he said when he was at TMZ. He said something like, ‘I love Hitler, I love Nazis.’ Something to that effect when he was there. And they took it out of the interview for whatever reason. It wasn’t my decision.”

Since West’s comments, he’s been banned from both Instagram and Twitter, and has resumed his role of Public Enemy No. 1. Check out Van Lathan’s interview on Kanye above (skip to the 20 minute mark), along with the rapper’s meltdown from 2018 below.