A recent image has surfaced on the internet featuring the artist formerly identified as Kanye West donning a t-shirt from the controversial Norwegian black metal group BURZUM
Earlier today (Friday, January 19), American rapper, singer, and record producer JPEGMafia posted a snapshot of his time with Kanye to his Instagram, who can be seen proudly sporting the BURZUM merch.
BURZUM, a seminal black metal band, was founded in 1991 by Kristian “Varg” Vikernes, known as Count Grishnackh. Hailing from Norway, the band’s early lineup consisted solely of Vikernes, who handled vocals, guitars, bass, and keyboards. BURZUM‘s music is characterized by its raw, atmospheric, and often minimalist approach, influencing the second wave of black metal.
The band became notorious not just for its musical contributions but also for Vikernes‘s involvement in a series of controversial incidents. In 1994, Vikernes was convicted for the murder of Oystein Aarseth (Euronymous), guitarist of the black metal band MAYHEM. Additionally, Vikernes was found guilty of church burnings, including the original Holmenkollen Chapel in Oslo. His acts, rooted in extreme ideologies, earned him Norway’s longest prison term at the time, a 21-year sentence. Vikernes was released on parole in 2009 after serving 16 years.
Despite the controversies surrounding BURZUM and its founder, the band played a pivotal role in shaping the black metal genre. BURZUM‘s early albums, such as the self-titled debut and “Det som engang var,” are considered classics, influencing countless black metal bands with their haunting melodies and atmospheric soundscapes.
Notably, BURZUM‘s influence extends beyond music. Vikernes‘s ideologies, rooted in Norse mythology and anti-modern sentiments, attracted attention, sparking discussions about the intersection of extreme ideologies and art within the black metal scene. While the controversies surrounding BURZUM are undeniable, its impact on black metal’s musical and ideological landscape remains significant, contributing to the genre’s evolution and shaping its identity.
In 2016, Kanye featured in Gucci Mane’s rap song “Pussy Print,” which sampled BURZUM‘s 1996 track “Rundgang Um Die Transzendentale Säule Der Singularität.” Notably, West‘s upcoming LP, “Vultures,” garnered attention last month for its layout and typography reminiscent of BURZUM‘s album covers.
In recent years, Kanye West has seen his share of controversy with antisemitic remarks, earning the “antisemite of the year” label from the watchdog group StopAntisemitism in 2022. Following these comments, numerous sponsors distanced themselves from the rapper, terminating their contracts. JPEGMafia‘s recent photo sharing comes on the heels of his public questioning of why Ye is overlooking his studio talents in favor of artists “who have less to offer u than me,” emphasizing his role as “a scientist in the lab, a surgeon.”