will.i.am breaks down on GMB as he hits out 'ignorant' Kanye West for 'throwing his ancestors under the bus' to 'sell some records' after rapper claimed slavery was a CHOICE

Unrecognisable: Revealing that he knows Kanye, but doesn't understand what's going on, Will continued: 'To me, that's a different person that's saying that

will.i.am has claimed friend and peer Kanye West has 'thrown his ancestors under the bus' after he made comments that slavery was a 'choice'. 

The Voice judge, 43, broke down with emotion and admitted he 'wanted to cry' when he saw his friend's latest tweet, while discussing the 40-year-old rapper's recent Twitter tirade during an

appearance on Wednesday's episode of Good Morning Britain.

In an impassioned rant, Will claimed Kanye was 'ignorant' and that his remarks were 'harmful', adding that he believed the star's recent controversial spree of tweets is merely a marketing tool to promote his new music.

The star has been at the centre of much controversy with his recent outspoken tweets, and has been forced to use bodyguards after rapper Daz Dillinger called on gangsters to attack the star.

Will hit back at Kanye's slavery remarks, admitting: 'That broke my heart... my grandmother's grandma, who was a slave. And when you're a slave, you're owned. You don't choose if you're owned. When you're a slave you're deprived of education. That's not choice, that's by force...'

Referring to Kanye's upcoming album, which is set to be released on 2 June and titled LOVE EVERYONE, Will added: 'I hope it's not to raise awareness so you could sell some records and some shoes, because that would be the worst thing to do, to stir up this very touchy race situation and you be the benefactor from it.

'So I encourage you, if you really believe this, give your shoes away for free, give your album away for free.'

Controversial: The Voice judge, 43, admitted he 'wanted to cry' discussing his friend's latest tweet, in which Kanye West had claimed that slavery was a 'choice'

Shocking: In an impassioned rant that garnered plenty of online support, Will claimed Kanye, 40, was 'ignorant' and that his remarks were 'harmful'

Claiming that Kanye is 'ignorant', Will also said: 'So I understand the need to have free thought, but if your thoughts aren't researched, that is just going to hurt those that are still in conditions where it's not choice...

'That when they go down the street and there's a liqueur store and fast-food restaurants and your education is not being funded the same way that it is being in Calabasas, when governments stifle and limit the amount of money that goes to Chicago, Bronx, Watts, 5th Ward Mississippi, East Los Angeles, where I'm from.'
He added: 'That statement was one of the most ignorant statements that anybody who came from the hood could ever say about their ancestors, that slavery is a choice. What are you talking about.'

Adding that although they were friends, he could no longer recognise Kanye as being the same person, he continued: 'To me, that's a different person that's saying that... And I don't like talking about going against my community, but that is harmful.'

He concluded: 'I will not throw my ancestors under the bus to profit.'

As Piers agreed with Will's comments, the broadcaster added: 'I know you were wary about saying this in public but I hope Kanye listens to it.'

Will, who looked close to tears, reasoned: 'If he listens or not. We're talking about it. With so many real issues in the world... It makes me want to cry talking about that.'