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MASKED UP

Why does Kanye West wear a mask?

RAPPER Kanye West has been known to don masks over the years that cover his face in its entirety.

The 44-year-old rapper was seen at the Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022, wearing the familiar black mask before removing it at halftime.

Kanye West has been donning face masks since 2012
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Kanye West has been donning face masks since 2012

Why does Kanye West wear a mask?

Kanye West, now known as Ye, started wearing face masks in 2012 during a live performance donning a Balenciaga mask.

The designer has revolutionized fashion since the mid-1900s and works to create styles outside the norm.

The stylistic choice by Ye to wear this face-covering came to light during his concert at the London Film Festival in 2014.

"Don’t embarrass yourself trying to chase your dreams. Save face. Save face. That’s why I got this f***ing mask on, because I ain’t worried about saving face. F**k my face," he told the crowd during the concert.

“F**k whatever my face is supposed to mean and f**k whatever the name Kanye is supposed to mean, it’s about my dreams! And it’s about anybody’s dreams.

"It’s about creating. It’s not about the idea about being a f***ing celebrity.”

When has Kanye West worn the mask?

Kanye West has not only worn his face mask during concerts as it moved into his everyday life.

In October 2021, Ye was seen wearing all black with a full black face mask after having an altercation with his estranged ex-wife Kim Kardashian.

Ye visited Michael Cohen in October 2021 wearing a full caucasian mask, which Cohen told Page Six, “The purpose (of the mask) was so that people would not recognize him … the first 10 minutes we sat down, he was mobbed by people … who wanted photos, and to say hello.

"So he put on this mask to give him some anonymity, which interestingly enough, did not really work.”

He was also seen wearing a creepy white mask in Valencia, Italy only a few weeks prior to his meeting with Cohen.

Additionally, Ye wore a full black mask during the Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022, showing his masks are not all the same.

West typically appears at major events with the mask on
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West typically appears at major events with the mask onCredit: Splash News

Why did Kanye West remove his mask during the Super Bowl?

The rapper allegedly could not handle continuing to wear his full-fledged face mask at Sunday's Super Bowl game.

A photo of Ye was posted to social media with users comparing him to characters of the popular Netflix show, Squid Game.

Ye was seen to have removed his mask after the halftime show and Judd Apatow, a comedian, actor, and writer posted to Instagram saying he overheard Ye complaining about the mask.

"Man I wish I didn’t go with the mask today, but now that I’m in it I can’t really bail on it. Do you think I could lose it at halftime? Seems like a logical place to make a change," Apatow said he heard Ye say to his advisor.

However, when the advisor allegedly told Ye he had to "commit," Ye added, "I wish we would have cut some more vents in this thing.” 

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