Readers call Kanye West 'heartless' after he grabbed the mic from Taylor Swift

Last night's annual MTV Music Video Awards brought out the star power, and with that, inevitably, comes the controversy. The trouble started early in the proceedings when rap superstar Kanye West rushed the stage while teen country darling Taylor Swift accepted her award for Best Female Video. West took the microphone from Swift's hand to complain that Beyonce deserved the award because "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was, as he put it, "one of the best videos of all time."

The result was confusion and mayhem on the live broadcast. MTV ran, what else, a video, and Swift was led off the stage before she could finish her acceptance speech. Later, in a very classy move, Beyonce invited Swift to return to the stage "to have her moment" during the time allotted to the R&B singer after she won Video of the Year. Later West apologized from his "crib" via his blog.

But that didn't end the fireworks. The Pop & Hiss blog received more than 350 comments, mostly ridiculing the talented rapper/producer.

sara said: An apology from him doesn't count for anything, I'm sure his publicist made him do it. He still doesn't really think it was wrong to do that. But he will get away with it like he always does and the media and his music colleagues will not care by Friday. He gets to say and do any rude thing he wants without any real consequence.

James defended West: Why is everyone hating on Kanye? He's just speaking his mind. Can't blame him for that. Let's be honest, Beyonce's video was better then Taylor Swifts.

c.mil didn't think Kanye's apology was sincere: That is such a backhanded apology! He basically said he was sorry, but that Taylor was completely undeserving of the award, that she should have recognized it, and given her award up to Beyonce. He is ridiculous and needs to get over himself.

Ryan Abao asked: kanye! how could you be so heartless?!?!?

Jose said: ...he was right, though.

charlz demel was disappointed in the rap star: sir, i am 60 y.o. and love all kinds of music and always will--sam cooke, isley brothers etc.but you came on like you had the manners of a farm animal.LET ME DOWN BIG TIME.

Rich brought in a computer term in regards to Kanye and had a critique for Beyonce as well: So (a) what a rude individual and (b) "Single Ladies" is almost unlistenable. Kanye West - please uninstall.

So the question is, what do you think? Was the apology sincere? Was West heartless? And, finally, did Swift's poppy crossover hit deserve the moonman over Beyonce's choreographed "classic"?

-- Tony Pierce

Photo: Kayne West wrests the microphone away from Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Awards. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Jon]

What? He went to the Joe Wilson Institute of Ethics and Polite Behavior?

[tired of low lifes]

west just shows you can take the chump out of the getto but you cant take getto out of a chump.

[Jeffrey]

Well, well, you can have money but you don't have no class....Kanye.....

[andrea]

omg he is such a bit**

[Ann Marie Singh]

I'am really disapointed and disheartened by Kanye's outburst.I thought we have come much farther than this. How dare he act in this manner, and the awards are responsible as well who let him on stage at the time of Taylor Swifts acceptance speech. The decision was made, whether he likes it or not and I really liked his music.
I will think twice about buying his music now. Go Taylor.

[howardx]

jon's right, i too was struck by the gop-ness of kanye's behavior.

[Norman Rogers]

He is not heartless; he has mental health issues. He is either deranged or suffering from megalomania. He would appear to have the mindset that it is perfectly okay for him to go on stage, take away someone's microphone, and blurt out whatever he wants to blurt out. It would appear that, in his mind, he's doing what he can do and should do. The love of his fans is unquestioned; the legitimacy of his actions is without a doubt.

[AJ]

Kanye is a self-centered, rude, disrespectful creep. He's just showing where he's from and however much $$ he has, it doesn't change the fact that he has no class. What a loser.

[anon]

"Kanye, I feel ya."
--Joe Wilson

[Mark]

I'm angry at Kanye for how he said what he said. But I'm not mad for what he said. Swift is cute, but the award belonged to Pink, Gaga, or Beyonce.

[Amy]

Kenye was an a.. His label should drop him and the radio stations should do so as well. It's one thing to have an opinion and quite another to take that opinion and steal someone's spotlight with it and embarress them. His apology has to fall on deaf ears. Some things you can't apologize for and you have to take responsibilty for your actions and what you allow to escape your lips. Didn't his mother teach him to think before he speaks. He killed her on that stage and the reprecutions should be the same for his career. Kenye, you should be ashamed of yourself. Would you do it again if you could? Then why did you do it in the first place???? Who's the biggest loser now!

[QJACK]

Listen People. I agree with the fact that the Beyonce video was better than Taylor's by my opinion.On the other hand that's not the argument here, it's the lack of coof Kanye brought to the stage. The award had nothing to do with him. In my opinion Kanye has lost awards to so many other artists that it hit home for him and naturally instead of carrying himself as an equal competitor in the game he lashed out on a 16 yr old girl.... Bravo Kanye your a Great Man, and Jesus loves you lol! Chill man what you may think is great music might not be the opinion of others. Such a RATARD!!!!

[Jeff T - Columbia, TN]

I think that Kanye is a disgrace! None of his songs are any good. I guess he was jealous because Taylor Swift has come out with more good songs in 1 year than he has in his whole career . . . I guess he had to do something stupid like this so people don't forget who he is since his music sure isn't accomplishing that!

[Mellie]

WHY is everyone HATING on Kanye? It doesn't matter at ALL that this category had nothing to do with him and that he did not have any business being on the stage at that time? Grabbing the spotlight from someone else is NOT the right venue to express opinions. Those of you who think he had a right to do it because you don't like her music are idiots. If the tables had been turned, you would have been screaming and yelling. Just because you don't care for her music doesn't mean she isn't deserving. If you don't like her, don't listen...but don't excuse the stupid actions of Kanye West.

[gotaylor]

It's not a matter of who's right or wrong. Art is subjective. The point is...Kanye West was RUDE. He had no business interrupting Taylor on her acceptance speech. What a loser that poor man is!

[ashley]

Unfortunately, we live in a very narcissistic society that encourages self promotion and draws attention to bad behavior. Kayne looked like he was on drugs and is apparently not mentally well. :(

[pookeeh]

he should banned from all music awards..Kanye, just watch from home.

[Listener]

It doesn't matter who was "best." West was colossally rude and has let down any of his supporters who have any class at all.

[John]

I find it completely mind-boggling that some people are interpreting Kanye's outbursts as him simply "keeping it real." That's utter nonsense. What, people can't be real unless they're obnoxious, egomaniacal, spotlight stealing whores now? The notion that speaking your mind comes before etiquette reeks of an inflated sense of self-worth--a trait many hardcore Kanye fans probably identify with. The guy is absurdly rich and successful, yet he still manages to find some reason to throw a hissy fit practically every year. You can go ahead and call that being real; I, on the other hand, see his actions as nothing less than a cry for attention.

[em]

what a loser!!!!! he is a big mouth from the ghetto and should go back there! he should be banned from any future award shows! he thinks everything is about him probably jealous because he has no talent just a big mouth!!

[nobody]

uh
duh taylor is better
i mean
cummon seriously west u had ur chance to vote
taylor swift is a unbeviveable singer
and beonce's single ladies song has no anything but a beat
and thats not even hers

a clasic is something that wil stand the test of time
taylor swift is timeless
and 90% of people can relate to her songs

[jeffsd]

how about heartless and talentless. his so called music is as horrendous as his ego. no one will remember him in 10 years.

[sara]

he is a common drunk is what he is...soon we will be seeing him at AA meetings here in LA. how many days till he announces rehab ?????

[DodgersGal]

Classless act by a classless man.

[dcf]

I wish Leno would dump KW from his opening-night show tonight. West doesn't deserve any consideration after his totally obnoxious and repulsive actions. Pick on someone your own size, Kanye.