Kanye West has announced he is now to be known as Ye.
The US rapper has used the nickname for many years and even used it for the title of his June album.
this represents good and America becoming whole again. We will no longer outsource to other countries. We build factories here in America and create jobs. We will provide jobs for all who are free from prisons as we abolish the 13th amendment. Message sent with love pic.twitter.com/a15WqI8zgu
— ye (@kanyewest) September 30, 2018
He wrote on Twitter: “the being formally (sic) known as Kanye West. I am YE.”
the being formally known as Kanye West
I am YE
— ye (@kanyewest) September 29, 2018
The name change came ahead of his appearance on Saturday Night Live, where he was expected to launch his new album Yandhi.
As well as being an abbreviation of his current professional name, West has previously said the word has religious significance for him.
“I believe ‘ye’ is the most commonly used word in the Bible, and in the Bible it means ‘you,'” West said earlier this year, discussing his album title with radio host Big Boy.
West’s move follows a long line of rappers who have changed their name.
Diddy has been known by monikers including Puff Daddy, Puffy and P Diddy, while Snoop Dogg has previously gone by the name Snoop Lion.
AAP