Pardon the Interruptions
Kanye West's Televised Meltdowns: A Video Compilation
At the VMAs tonight, the audience was shocked when Kanye West stormed the stage to interrupt Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video, claiming that Beyoncé deserved the honor for her iconic “Single Ladies” video. (Which: true!) Still, West’s meltdown shouldn’t have been so surprising, as he’s amassed quite the collection of interruptions and televised hissy fits during his career. We’ve got videos of the best ones (including tonight’s) after the jump:
· Kanye West rains on Taylor Swift’s parade at the MTV VMAs (2009)
· Kanye West goes off-script during a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert to announce that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” (2005)
· At the MTV Europe Music Awards, Kanye West is so irate when he loses Best Video that he hijacks the winners’ acceptance speech and rants that his video should have won because it “cost a million dollars. I had Pam Anderson. I was jumping across canyons and shit.” (2006)
· Interviewed later, West blames his rant on a “little sippy sippy” and challenges MTV not to censor his outburst. (2006)
· Kanye West loses it backstage at the 2007 MTV VMAs, unhappy that he had to perform in a hotel suite and still wasn’t awarded adequately. “Give a black man a chance!” (2007)
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- Michael Shannon on The Runaways, Kristen Stewart's Sophistication, and Getting Picked Up By James Franco
- Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart: The Movieline Interview
- Emilie de Ravin on Remember Me and the Learning Curve of Lost
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Posted 13 Sep 2009, 8:30 PM
I have it on good authority, though, that he's a shoe-in for 'Douchiest, Narcisstic Artist with Chip on Shoulder' at next year's awards. I only hope Lady GaGa doesn't clinch it in the end.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 8:44 PM
Kanye is a tool. Stop playing the damn race card! We have a black president already.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 11:12 AM
He's not even a tool. Tools are useful.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 9:25 PM
you stop playing the race card he said nothing about black or white! FYI the president is mixed. And he is not a Black president. He is the president.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 10:45 PM
First of all, Trish, did you not pay attention to the Presidential race at all? Obama himself said he would be the 1st Black President. Secondly, Kanye did mention race, if you listened to the last video at all, he said and I quote "Give a black man a chance!" Thirdly, I've been to a couple of Kanye concerts, which I never will give my $ to again, and the crowd is predominantly white!!! Lastly, when it's all said and done, Kanye is a freaking douche! What an a-hole! Going up there like he was speaking on behalf of Beyonce...what an awesome gesture on her part in the end! His jaw should have stayed wired shut after his crash...now all he spews is stupidity and ignorance! And you thought this night was going to pay tribute to MJ???
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 11:47 AM
What in the world does his actions have to do
with a Black President? Institutional racism
was not eviscerated because Mr. Obama is in the White House.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 9:30 PM
Kanye is the most self-absorbed, talentless individual. Now we can add classless and rude to his name.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 9:36 PM
Kanye is a piece of shit. I am a black man and he sets us back 100 years. He is quoted as saying the dumb motherfuckin' whites voted us in, (I guess with Obama) and just have to deal with it.
Not my beliefs and I wish to be respected by all. Not my race.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 9:48 PM
Looks pre-planned/staged to me.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 9:50 PM
Wow, what a loser! If you wanna see some good rippin' on Kanye West, go to SouthParkStudios.com and watch the episode "Fishsticks" in season 13.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 10:04 PM
Quite likely the dumbest performer on the planet
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 10:37 PM
Looks like somebody tore a page out of Madonna's "How-To Guide to Stay Newsworthy While Simultaneously Making Shitty Music".
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 10:54 PM
I say go head Kanye West!!! Hey I'm with you soldier! The revolution shall be live and not televised. Wake up Black America! The organizations don't respect you, your values, your health, your well-being, your mind, your economic status in this country. The picture you saw of Katrina in Louisiana is the way they wish to see all African-Americans. This country is not for Black people. Stop internal violence! If you are a gangsta let me tell you where your battle ground should take place, corporate amerikkka, judical system in amerikkka, political system in amerikkka, economical systems in amerikkka, all financial institutions in amerikkka. They are happy to take your money and your soul. Slavery is still in affect, just look around at your prison institutions. African-Americans are the minorities in this country yet that are the majority in the prisons across this Jim Crow land! Rise up people. Read. Take notice what is going on in your neighborhood. Remember what the character in the movie the "Godfather" said about Black neighborhoods. "Give it to the niggas. They're animals anyway." That is the only line I paid attention to in that movie. Telling their white gangstas to sell drugs in the Black community because they are nothing at all. Awake up people. The Godfather was not just a movie. It is a living reality.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 11:39 PM
You think maybe you could get your head a little farther up your ass? I still see your feet sticking out.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 3:10 AM
Awesome comment.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 11:54 PM
WHAT A COMPLETE TOOL.
NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE THE LEVEL OF TOOL.
WORST ARTIST EVER.
Posted 13 Sep 2009, 11:58 PM
Kanye is simply the smallest pricked dimwad in the world.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 12:10 AM
Kanye gives all of us African Americans a bad name, he should just be vetoed of all public appearances, we live in a country where the racism that is existent is due to people like him giving the rest of us a bad rep. thanks a lot you ignorant ill mannered buffoon.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 12:25 AM
Boycott Viacom and its business entity MTV Networks.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 1:49 AM
Kanye just won't shut up about having a small penis.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 3:38 AM
What a complete loser. Watching these videos and then what he did to Taylor Swift was over the top stupid. He doesn't deserve an award. I say ban his stupid butt from any award shows or just don't nominate him for anything. He is on his way to ruining his own career by these idiotic outbursts. I wonder how many men he had to suck before anyone would give him a record deal, because it as hell isn't talent. There isn't one of his songs I like. And who in the f***k cares who he has in his videos. Hey Kayne make a video worth an award and they might give it to you.
How disrespectful can one person be to both Taylor and Beyonce not to mention how humiliating it had to be for both of them. If he was going off about something that mattered besides himself and (aw poor baby) how nobody likes his videos, I might listen to what he had to say. Right now his behavior is UNACCEPTABLE. Grow up Kayne, not everyone has a high opinion of you as you do so suck it up and be a man for God's sake!!!!
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 4:01 AM
What the hell was he thinking? All these stupid rants are going to just get Kanye more negative press!
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 4:04 AM
Kanye west is probably the most creative and fearless artist in the business,call him what you want but he says the things that people think but dare not say.Keep doing what you do kanye i will keep buying your albums.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 5:35 AM
I am whatever about Kanye because in my eyes, he's like a Madonna/Lady Gaga type. This is all a big performance art act, and he has your attention. He still sells, he still wins.
I also think the whole disturbance and resolution was scripted and staged. I've done Viacom events.
This allows Kanye to continue to be the arrogant douche with no filter he purposefully wants to be; Taylor gets to play the sweet, charming victim as she loves to play, and Beyonce gets to be the seasoned diva with a heart of gold. This is such a big DUH andd win for all parties.
I hate to be such a downer on the fun narrative but I hate seeing people get soooooo wound up about this stupid, artificial drama...come on, people, don't you have something better to be outraged about?!!!!
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 3:53 PM
You don't know for sure this was acted out. Douchebags exist, sometimes they get caught on tv.. and just because these moments get caught on tv doesn't always mean it's always fake. I'm convinced Kanye was either born a prick or let fame go to his head. I mean, what he did was pretty unacceptable. It doesn't matter if it happened in the VMA's or in a high school graduation or in a job promotion, it's just something a person with the slightest common sense knows is wrong. So you're asking why don't we have something better to get angry about, well then why are you here? You also typed taylor/kanye on google and looked for this article to reply in. Why don't you have something better to get annoyed or comment about?
And to people saying "Go Kanye!" because he was just speaking his mind and saying what everyone else is thinking- I can't even believe I have to explain this. There's a fucking time and place to speak your mind and unfortunately for Kanye (and Taylor and Beyonce) this wasn't it. Not "everyone" was thinking he should have embarrassed Taylor. He doesn't come out as strong, he just comes out as a complete asshole. Yeah, he'll get a lot of publicity for this.. but it won't be the good kind. Boo hoo his friend (if Beyonce is his friend) didn't win, oh boo hoo he didn't win. He should grow some fucking balls and take it like a man. He should stop being a pussy everytime he loses. You can't just go out and say whatever you're thinking, if you do then you're an idiot that should learn some damn social skills.
If someone thinks you're fat or ugly, you wouldn't want them to come up to you and insult you. If you're nervous or scared, you don't want someone to make it even worse. If a loved one dies, you don't want someone to come up to you and say it was well deserved. You see why someone shouldn't go around spewing everything that comes from their mind? It would create worldwide drama.
It's one of those things that really annoy me, when people think they can just say whatever they want even if it'll hurt other people.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 5:45 AM
There are a lot of problems that can be solved with a catapult.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 5:55 AM
Sorry guys, can't feel sorry for Taylor Swift. This was easily the most exciting part of the show, makes me like Kanye even more. If his music sucked, that would be one thing, but he's keeping things fresh and exciting in the MTV world these days. I'm with Team Kanye.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 8:02 AM
Wait, so you're for anything that makes an awards show more "exciting?" Really?
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 6:08 AM
This is yet another example of what happens when you give a microphone to a boring, ignorant classless individual.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 6:38 AM
I think we should give it up for Beyonce who exhibited such class for giving Taylor the chance to speak. That was really classy. Kanye is obviously just a narcissistic spoiled brat who is treading thin on his artistic capital. He is not even close to good enough to get away this type of base behavior. I used to think his tantrums and outbursts were funny but this gimmick has worn out its charm. But really, how can anyone say that Kanye is boring? You never know what this loose canon is going to say/do. At this point that is the ONLY thing he has going for him. 808's and Heartbreaks? WHAT A JOKE.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 7:38 AM
Staged? Possibly. He's on tonight with Jay-Z for the Leno Show premiere, so consider that. As if any of us needed even one more reason not to watch.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 7:51 AM
Kanye just had his ODB/Shawn Colvin moment. Sure the whole thing had a "Carrie at the prom" feel to it, but Kanye just said what everyone was thinking. That Taylor Swift song/performance/video was the equivalent of a lukewarm JCPenney Juniors commercial. Kayne just blew his load a little too early in the show; Sasha Fierce got her award, and now his statement, while true, will be overshadowed by the fact that he made a pretty little white girl cry. Perhaps MTV should thank Mr. West, because aside from Gaga's performance art, the revelation that Janet Jackson is currently too fat/distraught to dance, Madge's personal MJ stories, and Beyonce killing it, this was just your typical crappy VMAs.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 8:09 AM
"...Kanye just said what everyone was thinking."
That's a big assumption, but even if true, there's a time and place for him to express his opinion (even if no one asks). The VMAs aren't about which videos were "best," for cryin' out loud, they're about sales and they always have been. Yes, they are almost always crappy, but how about we just stop watching instead of hoping for rude train wrecks to make things interesting?
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 10:12 AM
AND THE SEVENTH SEAL WAS BROKEN AND THE SKIES TURNED BLOOD RED, AND LO, COMETH KANYE, DESTROYER OF LITTLE GIRL'S DREAMS.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 10:57 AM
I am hispanic and all I know is that This guy Kanye West was very rude with Taylor. She just put her head down but she is the most talented teenager I have ever seen in my whole life. Good for her that did not respond anything to Kanye West. This showed the audience how well educated she is. Beyonce in the other hand showed a lot of respect and I am so proud of both of them.
Kanye West need to grow up or look for some professional help. Believe me, I think he needs it.
We had two winners: Taylor and Beyonce. Kanye West did not have the neccesity to do this foolish act.
Thanks
by the way I am writing these message while my baby boy who is three months is crying but I had the urge to let people or more specific Kanye West the stupid act he did. He was my favorite but from now on I take his CD out my car.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 11:23 AM
He is truly off his rocker. Is he that desparate for attention? I felt sorry for Taylor and Beyounce. His shit is really getting old.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 11:55 AM
WELL WELL!!! Now that all is said and done. I must say to the guy above UR FUNNY AS SHIT!!! HON. ANYWAYS...as for the rest of u. Some of u stated great oppinions and some of u attempted to do so but failed!However Kanye is an innovative artist in my oppinion.[Period]ok so he stired things up a little. Some accept it as his personna and others just dont get it. Ohh!! well!! Secondly I must state that its not as much about racism as it is about power.Even thought racism still exist across all boundries,we need to wake up to the fact that as we continue to define ourselves we confine ourselves.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 2:24 PM
It's "you" and "you're". "U" just cancels out your big ass words and long drawn out sentences. He's a rude asshole. Get over it.
Posted 14 Sep 2009, 8:20 PM
Despite all his rage he is still just a rat in a cage.
Posted 16 Sep 2009, 10:42 AM
As a Kanye fan, who is now having a hard time listening to his music...
I just want to say that Kanye did this for KANYE, not for Beyonce or anybody else. He's a big spoiled brat who has to have HIS way. He messed up Taylor's night, Beyonce's night (think of her humiliation because supposedly he did this for her), and does anybody even remember the beautiful words spoken by Madonna about our REAL King of Pop Michael Jackson... or the killer performance Janet Jackson put on in memory of her brother? No, everybody is talking about KANYE, which is exactly what he wanted!
Kanye's apology is lame! I feel bad for his loss, I really do... but it's not an excuse. He has had so many outbursts and tirades that I'm finding it hard to believe he's truly sorry. I hope that he does go and get counseling and comes back a stronger and more humble person... but I'm not holding my breath.
Oh and to the people who are sticking up for his childishness... Do you honestly think if he was right, Beyonce would have given her time to Taylor as she so eloquently did? And would Taylor have gotten a standing ovation by everyone in the room if Kanye had the right to do what he did? I'm sorry but Kanye is no role model.... but Beyonce and Taylor are! You can still like him as an artist, but please do not defend this behavior. He's a person that needs help controlling his issues!
Posted 17 Sep 2009, 7:53 AM
All I'm gonna say is I'm praying for you Kanye.There are some very deep issues going on inside you and I'm no Dr.You can get past this but you need to step back from it all and take some time to reflect.Godbless you and hope you can be big enough to no how small we all are and how big God is.When you figure that out you will be free.It seems to often that unfortunatly we have to be down before we finally look up.