Kanye West apologizes to Taylor Swift

Before the MTV Video Music Awards even came to an end, rap star Kanye West had taken to his blog and issued an ALL-CAPS apology to country star Taylor Swift and her mother. "I spoke to her mother right after and she said the same thing my mother would've said," Kanye wrote in his explanation for interrupting Swift's VMA win.

Moments after Swift won the MTV VMA for best female video for "You Belong With Me,"  West appeared onstage and interrupted her speech. Swift was in the midst of talking about the difficulty country artists face in crossing over on MTV when West declared that the award should have gone to Beyoncé for her "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." 

Throughout the remainder of the night, the VMA crowd at New York's Radio City Music Hall let West hear it, booing loudly anytime his name was mentioned. Pink, a performer on the telecast, took to her Twitter, and blasted Kanye -- its R-rated language prevents us from linking to it. 

West apparently didn't stay to see the awards through, and wrote on his blog that he watched the rest of the show "at the crib." "I'm sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom," West wrote. He also took a moment to praise Swift, and wrote that he likes "the lyrics about being a cheerleader and she's in the bleachers."

He continued, "I'm in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment!" He added that Beyoncé's video remains "the best of the decade," and he apologized to his fans for letting them down.

West also tried to explain his reasons for interrupting Swift. He wrote: "Everybody wanna boooo me but I'm a fan of real pop cuture!!! ... I gave my awards to OutKast when they deserved it over me ... that's what it is." At the 2007 BET Awards, West attempted to give his trophy to OutKast's Big Boi and rap act UGK for their "International Player's Anthem."

Swift eventually did get a chance to give her acceptance speech. When Beyoncé won video of the year, she gracefully noted that she'd had her share of award-show moments, and called Swift back onstage.

This wasn't the first time West has had an award show outburst. He interrupted the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards when he lost to Simian and claimed his clip should have won. In 2005, West noted that he would "have a problem" if he didn't win the Grammy for album of the year. He didn't win.

Shortly after posting his apology to Swift, West took a moment to commend tennis star Serena Williams, who also came under criticism this weekend in New York for an outburst at the U.S. Open.

--Todd Martens

Top photo: Kanye West and Taylor Swift / Associated Press
Middle photo: Screenshot of Kanye West's apology.

Comments

[Tuth Hurts]

Terrible thin to do Kanye. If someone were to do that to him he wouldbepissed!! ------->Even though he only spake what most of us were thinking.
Kanye = When keeping it real goes wrong.

[Rachel Holdren]

That was really rude of u why would u ever think that u could take that moment away from anyone? Do u think that if Taylor did that 2 u that u would just accept her appoligy? I dont I think that u should get down on ur knees and beg for her forgivness!!!!I love all of talyor swifts music she is soooo talented and for u too doo that is just wrong..Dont get me wrong I love beyonce too but right is right.Say sorry and mean it...dont just say it because it will make u look better.

[Tammy]

I don't respect Kanyae. He disrespected Taylor Swift, her fans, her family and MTV. Yes, Beyonce is classy, talented, and deserved to win Video of the Year. But Kanyae needs to realize he is not Jesus or King of Pop as he has stated in the past. He is just a disrespectful, loud mouth, synical piece of crap.

Thanks Beyonce for being classy enough to let Taylor have her moment. I am only sorry that you had to give up your moment. You showed every young person watching how to treat others with respect and dignity. I only hope Kenyae took notice and learned from your actions.

As for you Kenyae, I will never EVER purchase another item that you are hocking.

[i wanna marry taylor swift]

Kanye, that was messed up. taylor swift deserved every bit of that award... all i have to say about kanye is... how could you be soo heartlesss. lol.

[i wanna marry taylor swift]

taylor deserved every bit of that award. all i have to say yo kanye is.. how could you be soo heartlesss. lol.

[DOMiBOO]

THiS iS REALLY CRAZY CUZ EVEN AFTER THiS HE STiLL D0ESNT FEEL BAD. iM A HUGEE KANYE FAN BUT MY RSPECT MAY HAVE FLEW 0UT THE WiND0W. HE iS EXTREMLY RUDE AND EVERYB0DY iS SUBJECT T0 THERE 0WN 0PiNi0N BUT YUD0NT B0ADCAST iT iN FR0NT 0F BASiCALLY THE WH0LE W0RLD! THATS RUDE. TAYL0R SWiFT iS A BABY. iTS JUST N0T NiCE. WEATHER B DESERVED THE AWARD 0R N0T iTS AB0UT CLASS AND YU JUST D0NT D0 THiNGS LiKE THAT.

[Scarlett]

This is why I don't like hip hop they are mostly thugs that have no class, Taylor Swift is talented writes her own music,you can actually understand her when she sings.

He should be banned from the award show he doesn't know how to behave,sounds like the black dudes in pop can't hold back their temper(chris Brown) and lack of class,this guy!

[jose carranza]

this guy thinks he is superior than all. he has to see professional help. he also should not have people buy his music, that is why this country has so many problems, for people like this.

[Gary]

What a dirt bag Kanye is. Even his apology sucked by saying he's keeping it real or that's life. Boooawayyy? What's wrong with this guy? Why can't he just say I'm sorry and leave it at that without adding to it?

[das]

Your apology is a ""HOT MESS"".
Your proclamation of “I am not crazy. I’m real” is a conundrum.
Or if I were as ignorant and as arrogant as you, it would be
“R U Done-drum” “Cuz-u-Soundin-Dumb-drum”.
Grow up and stop acting like Clara Peller. She was a 2ft tall little old lady shouting “Where’s the beef, where’s the beef?” Oohh wait…it’s over here coming out of KW’s mouth.
The only real thing about you is all about [really?]. Like you are REALly whack..

[Tiffany]

Kanye was so rude!That was disrespectful and immature.It wasn't professional and right too do. He was just jealous. He lost alot of respect from his fans and lost many fans from showing his arrogance, he couldn't of just been happy for her!? JERK

[Karen]

Wow...once again, he shows his true colors..what goes around comes around Kanye...your day will come - you showed your fans and those who are NOT your fans the true selfish person you are. My daughters have supported your music..but not anymore and anyone who keeps making excuses for you is just as sorry as you are...go get a REAL job and see what most Americans are going thru....you have had your day in the sun...quit trying to take it from someone who actually DESERVES it...

[Poppy]

He's a racist.

[Chelsea]

wow im soo disappointed. i really liked kanye but now.... Who put it into his head that his opinion was important enough for him to interup the whole frekin show and let his voice be heard. Hello!! it's a vote. If Beyonce should have won then she Would HAve WOn! THat was rude and so so disrespectful. SOmebody needs to teach that boy some manners.

[Miss Miss]

Let it go, it's not that serious... he was speaking his opinion and that's how he felt.. it's the entertainment business you should always be prepared of people criticizing one another... and no this is not going to ruin his career.. TRUST... it is us white people who don't like him now, which i don't have anything against Kanye because he is a great artist!!

[Jessica]

I just saw Kanye on Jay Leno and he did look sincere. We are humans and we make mistakes. To me, he had acted without a thought, on pure impulse. He said that he knew he was in the wrong as soon as he handed the microphone back to taylor and she couldn't finish. People make mistakes. Ever had a moment that you said something and just had people look at you stunned? You then feel like an idiot and totally regret what you just said. What he did should have never been done and he should feel bad. But don't bash his career. He, just like many, worked hard and went through a lot to get where he is.

[Kelcy]

He's only "sorry" because people do not like him.

[Laura]

I think Kayne West is a total fool for what he did to Taylor Swift at the VMA's.
Even if that is what he thought, he should have kept his opinion to himself and Taylor Swift would have been able to give her acceptance speech as she should have. Beyonce, was nice enough to allow Taylor to come out and finish what she started, her speech to thank all her fans for supporting her music and for the wonderful award that she had been chosen for. All I can say as far as Kayne goes, is next time keep your mouth shut, because if that was you and someone did that to you, you'd be pissed and upset as was Taylor was.. I know for sure i won't be listening or buying his music anymore, he's dirty in my eyes.. And three words to describe him is pompous arrogant idiot !!!!

[Roberto]

How can MTV consider him to present any single award? He has no class and no judgement. Any artist with some self-respect should decline assiting to any award ceremony in the future where the organizers are so stupid as to ask Kanye West to present an award.

[Jason]

Like Katt Williams say's: "It's a Hater's job to Hate" or wait this one applies also "If you ain't got hater's you ain't doin it right".
Poor Kayne's what a racist bastard!

[Jenn]

Probably has something to do with "short man syndrome".

[Rae Rae]

Poor Taylor. I wanted to cry for her, she was shaking like a leaf after that crazy rant. I wonder if Kayne would have done that if Pink or some one else had won. Bet not. Gutless Kayne, gutless. Ps some one might want to tell Kayne that Beyonces clip is not totally original , she borrowed heavily off a performance by Gwen Verdon. Great clip still, but worth the comment? Maybe not.

[Leaira]

Kanye was wrong for doing that on stage, but I'm not a fan of Taylor Swift, so I'm not going to defend her either. I don't think she has any talent at all, and she has been handed everything on a silver platter only because she's young, tall, thin, and blonde. That's all it takes nowadays to be a pop star. And I really wish they would stop calling her music country. It is not even close to country. Most kids her age don't even know what real country music is, and I don't think she does either.

[kamita]

The way he acts and the behavior he exhibits, on the serious note, I truly believe he is an ALCOHOLIC! And he definitely needs detox, rehabilitation then get into the recovery 12 Step program of AA.
Kamita

[J Scott]

Where were the organizers of this event? How did they let this drunk idiot get a mike out of turn, anyhow? Is there no one in the award show organization willing and ready to tell this guy "No, you can't have the microphone now..."?