American R&B singer Erykah Badu expressed her condolences for Hitler and Bill Cosby in a shocking new interview.
The 46-year-old ‘On & On’ crooner didn’t hold back while speaking with Vulture this week.
The reporter questioned Badu about her thoughts on separating ‘art and the artist’ – while speaking in terms of the numerous talented names who have been involved in recent scandals.
American singer Erykah Badu (shown in New York City in September) made controversial remarks in a new interview with Vulture
The R&B singer, 46, told the entertainment news site she ‘saw something good in Hitler’
In response, Badu explained she has empathy for everyone – regardless of the mistakes they have made.
‘I would have to really think about it and know the facts in each of those situations before I made a judgment… because I love Bill Cosby, and I love what he’s done for the world,’ Badu said of longtime comedian and accused rapist Cosby.
‘If he’s sick, why would I be angry with him? The people who got hurt, I feel so bad for them. I want them to feel better, too,’ she added.
Moreover, the interviewer questioned Badu over reports that suggested she supported alleged anti-Semitic religious leader Louis Farrakhan following her trip to Israel nearly a decade back.
Badu also said that she adores Bill Cosby and ‘love what he’s done for the world’
While defending Farrakhan, Badu pointed out: ‘I’m not an anti-Semitic person. I don’t even know what anti-Semitic was before I was called it.
‘I’m a humanist. I see good in everybody. I saw something good in Hitler.’
The interviewer paused for a moment and asked Badu to explain the controversial statement further.
She went on to say: ‘Yeah, I did… Hitler was a wonderful painter.’
The provocative artist since received backlash over the controversial remarks
She added: ‘He had a terrible childhood. That means that when I’m looking at my daughter, Mars, I could imagine her being in someone else’s home and being treated so poorly, and what that could spawn.
‘I see things like that. I guess it’s just the Pisces in me,’ she said of her self-proclaimed ‘humanist’ nature.
The provocative artist, who has three children – one with each rapper, André 3000, Jay Electronica and The D.O.C. – instantly received backlash for the baffling remarks.
She took to her Twitter page Wednesday afternoon to write in part: ‘Say what u must. Dialogue is cool. I invite it.’