In an ironic act of celebrity shade, John Legend has perfectly responded to a peculiar statement by his old friend and collaborator, Kanye West. Legend, West told DJ Akademiks in a recent interview, “smells like mashed potatoes,” a remark that is obscure as much as it is amusing. But Legend, never one to play into the drama, rose above it during his appearance on Ebro in the Morning on Hot 97.
“He was very obsessed with the sweaters, and he said I smell like mashed potatoes,” Legend said. “hat kind of potatoes? Cheesy, garlic?. … All of it makes me sad, though.” Instead of turning it into a small-scale war of words, Legend took the opportunity to reminisce about his erstwhile collaborator, and that’s the truest sting, not the insult, the loss of what used to be.
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Legend’s response says something more than just a snappy comeback. It signals a more profound despair, the dissolution of a once-legendary friendship and creative partnership. He took it back to Kanye’s early years as a scrappy upstart, a source of “energy, creativity, and optimism,” a time when they broke new ground together and remade hip-hop and soul music. “Being a part of that was inspiring,” he said. “Even though he’s gone, like, completely left now, I’m so glad that we did what we did together.”
The duo’s collaborative catalog is extensive and impactful, featuring the soul-baring “Blame Game” from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, as well as gems from earlier releases such as “Number One” and “It’s Over.” These songs were turning points in both artists’ careers. And now, with the dust settled around West’s recent controversies, Legend’s words ring through with newfound clarity. He’s not here for the insults, cheesy or otherwise. He’s grieving the artist and friend he once knew. And the mashed potatoes? As far as Legend was concerned, the answer was clear, a slight grin on his face, “I smell great.” In a world of clapbacks, Legend offered up quiet dignity and perhaps a whiff of garlic.
