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| Yes | 59% | 24 votes | Total: 41 votes | |
| No | 41% | 17 votes |
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Add to FavoritesIs Kanye West the new poster boy for bad behavior? His rude interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMA Awards certainly seems to indicate so. The rapper is apparently starved badly enough for attention that any excuse to grab the spotlight will do.
Teenage country / pop crossover sensation and America's current sweetheart, Taylor Swift, had received her first ever MTV award - beating out an impressive cast of nominees for Best Female Video. Taylor was just beginning her acceptance speech when Kanye crashed the stage, snatching the microphone from a startled Swift and proclaiming his dissatisfaction.
"Yo Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'll let you finish, but Beyonce has one of the best videos of all time. One of the best videos of all time!"
Cameras cut away from the stage to pan over an astonished audience; Beyonce looked aghast and the crowd booed as Kanye allegedly flipped the bird. Swift retreated backstage in tears, to rally and appear as scheduled outside the venue to sing "You Belong to Me."
It's not the first time Kanye has disgusted fans at an awards ceremony. In 2004 he took a loss to Gretchen Wilson for 'Best New Artist' at the American Music Awards. West allegedly rushed out of the building in a rage, telling reporters, "I was robbed!" and "I was the Best New Artist of the year!"
2005 Grammys: Kanye warned the public in advance that it would be a "real problem" if he didn't win an award. He lost 'Best New Artist' again - this time to Maroon Five - and compensated with a speech and a hyperactive performance of "Jesus Walks".
Also in 2005 came the infamous "George Bush doesn't care about black people," outburst at a benefit concert which aired live on NBC.
In 2006 the hip-hopper stormed the stage in a fury after failing to win Best Video at the EMAs. Upstaging Justice V Simian, who won that award for "We Are Your Friends," Kanye vented,
"F* dis! (My video) cost a million dollars, Pamela Anderson was in it, I was jumping across canyons and s*! If I don't win, the awards show loses credibility. Nothing against you (J&S), but h*, man."
2007 MTV VMAs again: After pitching a fit about having to perform his song "Stronger" from the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa in the Palms instead of the main stage at the ceremony, Kanye again lost out across the board in spite of five nominations. In disgust, he reportedly yelled out:
"That's two years in a row, man ... I'm trying hard, man, I have the number one record, man!"
With all of these outbursts, it's a wonder he's allowed to attend any awards ceremonies at all. Kanye's latest tirade at the expense of Taylor Swift has trashed any support the rapper might have had left.
Several celebs publicly denounced West's behavior, and Beyonce invited Taylor back on stage to deliver her interrupted speech when the pop star had her own moment for winning Video of the Year for "Single Ladies". The two singers embraced and sisterhood saved the event, but Kanye's bad behavior will not soon be forgotten.
West later apologized, but the 32 year old's public rudeness towards a 19 year old girl left a bad taste in the mouths of many. Pop-rocker Pink, who was also nominated for Best Female Video, summed up the general reaction best when she Tweeted,
"Kanye West is the biggest piece of s* on earth. Quote me."
Learn more about this author, Grace Alexander.
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No
Kanye West very much let his impulsiveness get the better of him and stole the spotlight at the recent Video Music Awards show by upstaging Taylor Swift, a teenaged country singing sensation during her receipt of her award. When it happened I was among those that looked on with disapproval but not with nearly such an urge to heap scorn and derision on him.
Even President Barack Obama was quick to call West a "jackass". I thought it was innocent mistake and Obama should be more forgiving considering his own gaffes which include flubbing his oath of office in front of the world.
Some remember a little over four years ago when on a telecast to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina, West said "George Bush doesn't care about black people". Some people thought it was rude. It was without a doubt impetuous no matter how true the statement may have been (and it was true!).
But a "Poster boy for bad behaviour"? First let's take out word "boy". A full grown, 32 year old black man is not called "boy". Let's just clarify that, okay? I hope that eliminates some confusion. I just feel more comfortable now.
Beyond the aforementioned two incidents when he spoke his mind saying things other people knew to be true but were afraid to say I can't recollect a single thing that I know the man to have have done which was not consistent with solid work ethic, professionalism and respect.
To white people I wonder if they see these incidents as examples of a black man "showing his color". African-Americans stereotypically are depicted as extroverted to the point of being immature, loud, raving lunatics who yell at movie screens (I've never seen this happen personally) and spread disrespect, in popular culture. If some of us happen to be that way (and I concede nothing in that regard),it isn't West, a hardworking recording artist and producer who has been an outspoken opponent of homophobia within his milieu. As for West taking opportunity when given a public podium to speak his mind, African-Americans it would seem are more forgiving of the frequent tackiness and lack of tact of Kanye West. His own people recognise his genius and accomplishments. This is because we do not regard certain actions of his that have been ajudged tacky in the same way. At times some of us wonder if he isn't just guilty of the unwritten legal charge of exuberance while being African-American.
To black folks in America a moment of painful honesty is forgiveable especially when somebody says they are sorry. It is actually valued. West apologized on TV when he appeared on Jay Leno he apologised by blog, by press release and to Taylor Swift personally. Howard Stern and Jim Norton are among so-called radio shock jocks who do and say things infinitely more boorish that West has ever done almost every time they broadcast a show. They are both white.
Learn more about this author, Bryant R.Jackson.
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