Veteran record producer Bob Ezrin recently wrote a lengthy commentary on Kanye West for Bob Lefsetz’s newsletter, the Lefsetz Letter. Ezrin, who helmed culturally impactful albums like Pink Floyd’s The Wall, KISS’s Destroyer, and Lou Reed’s Berlin, argued that Kanye is not worthy of equal critical acclaim.

“Sure, he made some great music for himself and others. But in spite of what the aspirationally-cool media keeps saying about him, unlike other creators in his genre like Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie or even M.C. Hammer for that matter, it’s unlikely that we’ll be quoting too many of Kanye’s songs 20 years from now,” Ezrin wrote. “He didn’t open up new avenues of public discourse like NWA, or introduce the world to a new art form like Grandmaster Flash, or even meaningfully and memorably address social issues through his music like Marshall, Macklemore and Kendrick.”



Ezrin went on to say Kanye’s songwriting is “sophomoric at best” and his production skills pale in comparison to the likes of Timbaland and Rick Rubin.

“Instead Kanye’s greatest achievements have been in the form of excessive behavior, egomaniacal tantrums and tasteless grandstanding,” Ezrin continued. “What he is a true artist at is living his life out loud – and shoving it down the throats of the rest of us whether we give a shit or not. He’s like that flasher who interrupts a critical game by running naked across the field. Is that art???”

This evening, Kanye responded to Ezrin via a series of tweets. “Has anybody ever heard of Bob Ezrin???” Kanye began. “What the fuck does he know about rap… I’m tired of old people that have no connection with anything trying to comment on music!”, adding, “It’s guys like you that run companies and don’t invest in Ye even if I’m your kid’s idol!!! Rock and Roll was stolen… Rap was exploited…”

Kanye also took offense, and rightfully so, to being compared to Macklemore. I mean, even Macklemore’s mom has to know Macklemore blows.

Has anybody ever heard of Bob Ezrin??? — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

What the fuck does he know about rap… — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

I’m tired of old people that have no connection with anything trying to comment on music! — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

Do something relevant… Please don’t speak on me bro ever again!!! — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

Your kids are ashamed of their dad… Sorry for speaking about kids… but could you imagine if you were Bob Ezrin’s kids… — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

I’m so sorry for them… I will send them free Yeezys to make up for the embarrassment that you have caused your family! — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

Bro you said Macklemore was more important musically than me… no offense to Macklemore, he’s a nice human being! — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

Bob please never speak in public again… you are everything that is wrong with the old guard … — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

it’s guys like you that run companies and don’t invest in Ye even if I’m your kid’s idol!!! — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

I made Dark Fantasy and Watch the Throne in one year and wasn’t nominated for either and you know who has 2 albums of the year. — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

Ezrin I truly feel sorry for your friends and family that they have had to suffer an idiot like you for so many years… — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

God bless the fools … all positive vibes! — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016

Kanye’s tweet storm also prompted some of his loyal subjects to edit Ezrin’s Wikipedia page.