A week ago Sunday, one of the most watched programs on TV aired for the 25th year, and for the 25th time there was no shortage of controversy.
I am referring of course to the Kanye West incident at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and the highly talked about aftereffects. The VMAs are meant as a chance to promote and honor the year's best music videos and includes performances from many artists and appearances from many celebrities.
Unfortunately, the shows are also known for their uncanny ability to reduce musicians to pathetic children fighting over who has the green crayon, whether it's Kid Rock sucker-punching Tommy Lee two years ago or Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Cummerford threatening to jump off the scaffolding during Fred Durst's acceptance speech in 2000. The awards have been wrought with controversy, and this year certainly didn't disappoint.
If you haven't heard about the "Kanye incident" and have no clue what anyone is talking about, allow me to bring you up to date. Taylor Swift won the award for Best Female Video over Pink, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson and Beyoncé. As she was beginning her first acceptance speech as an artist - a huge moment for a girl not even old enough to enjoy the complimentary champagne - West, who had just performed onstage, promptly took the microphone from her and proclaimed, "Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'ma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time, of all time."
Swift was left standing on stage with no time to finish her speech and left the stage stunned. West was booed off the stage and the show went on. When Beyoncé won the "Best Video of the Year" award, she brought Swift on stage again who joked, "Let's try this again" before going into her actual speech.
In the days that followed, West was the butt-end of a number of jokes and references to his behavior. He has gone on the Jay Leno show and apologized to Swift for his actions and broke down when asked what his mother, who died in 2007, would say regarding his actions. Swift has reluctantly accepted the apologies, but the damage was done.
If this had been a one-time thing with Kanye, it might have been overlooked. But he has a knack for finding ways to make a fool of himself. Last year at Bonnaroo, West was slated to perform a midnight laser show but didn't come out on stage until 5 a.m. He was quickly booed offstage by the fans who had waited patiently for five hours, and the next day dumpsters had been branded with vulgar words and offensive pictures aimed at West.
I consider myself a fairly understanding person and I know that the life of a celebrity is wrought with paparazzi and the invasion of one's privacy. But, this is a bit much; every chance this guy gets the outcome is the same, "Really Kanye?" It seems he has no concept of the word "enough" and is trying everything and anything to be noticed.
Kanye, let me fill you in on a little secret: You are noticed. People know who you are and they listen to your music. Even I listen to your music. There is no need to act the way you are acting. Yes, you are famous, but so are plenty of other artists. You do not have to be the only one on the radio these days. What you are doing is insulting to your listeners. When your fans have to watch South Park and the President of the United States call you a jackass in less than six months, it's bad. When you get thrown out of the VMAs because you don't like the choice of winner, it's bad.
Kanye, it's time to face reality. You are an egotistical child and you need to grow up. There are kids in the world who see you as a role model, and you need to be a decent person for their sake.
Your music is good; don't tarnish it with all this nonsensical stunt work. Your name is out, we all know who you are, so take a break. Tone it down, and have a hella good day.
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