West, 43, one of the biggest and most controversial names in rap with 21 Grammy awards, said this week he would not put out any more new music"till I'm done with my contract with Sony and Universal."
He also said he wanted to own the master recordings of all his work, called the music industry"modern day slave ships," and added,"I am the new Moses."Universal Music Group, which owns West's Def Jam label, did not return a request for comment on Wednesday. Sony Music, which handles his song publishing interests, declined to comment.
Concern has grown in recent months over the mental health of West, who said in 2018 that he suffered from bipolar disorder. The rapper in early July declared he was running for US president in the November election under his self-styled Birthday Party, but has done little campaigning. His wife Kim Kardashian in July asked for compassion and empathy for West, calling him a"brilliant but complicated person."
Bipolar disorder is a form of mental illness characterised by unusual mood swings between extreme energy and activity and depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It can be treated with a combination of medication and therapy.