Whitney Houston's surviving family members have responded to the use of the late singer's bathroom photo as the cover art of Pusha-T's Daytona.
Kanye West Reveals Cover Art Of 'Daytona'
Last week, Kanye West once again ignited the internet's wrath after he unveiled the cover art of Pusha-T's anticipated next album. Daytona, he said, will feature a controversial photo taken from the home of Houston years before she died of accidental drowning in a hotel's bathroom.
The photo was taken by a member of the "I Will Always Love You" singer's family and was published by a tabloid in 2006. It showed several drug paraphernalia strewn over her bathroom counter, exposing her struggles with drug addiction.
Pusha-T said that the album art was a last-minute change made by West and the "Bound 2" rapper allegedly paid $85,000 to license it.
Whitney Houston's Cousin Slams Kanye West, Pusha-T
West and Pusha-T received intense criticism for the use of the photo which many felt was insensitive and exploitative. One of those who called out the rappers was Damon Elliott, a cousin of Houston, who said that the cover art was "disgusting" and a "publicity stunt" to sell the records.
"It hurt my family and my daughter," Elliott told People. "[She was] frantic. She sent me this picture from the album cover and I immediately got sick to my stomach because it took me right back to six years ago."
He shared that he actually worked with West on a Keyshia Cole song and has been following his recent controversies on social media. However, Elliott was "in shock" after he found out about the photo.
"I've watched the train wreck happening, but I didn't think he'd go this far in invading someone's family privacy," he added.
Elliott also confirmed that West did not reach out to him before and after the release of Daytona. He says that he wants an apology from West and hopes that the rapper will stop the use of the photo on the album.
He also shared that he has not heard if Houston's mother, Cissy Houston, has heard about the news.
Whitney Houston's Nephew Defends Kanye West, Pusha-T
Gary Michael Houston, nephew of Houston, however, thinks that neither Pusha-T nor West should be blamed for the use of the photo. In a statement he issued, the 31-year-old defended the rappers and argued that they should not be taking the heat.
"People will automatically look to people like Pusha-T and Kanye West and try to place blame or say they have ill or malicious intent in order to gain publicity," Gary said to GMA.
He also said that whoever violated his aunt's privacy in the first place, the person who took the photo and sold it to the tabloids to publish should be held accountable.
Pusha-T's new album, Daytona, is now available for streaming and purchase.
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