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

[timo howard]

treatment kanye, treatment

[jamal]

hey im with kanye on this one but i think he should of waited out till everything was over before puttin taylor on blast

[Jenny318]

I don't understand why Beyonce was nominated. Ok, don't get me wrong she does have the background, experience, and reputation of some sort, but at the same time she is not bringing it. Taylor Swift deserved to win that award, I worked at Wal-Mart, and seen the people that were so into buying her albums, and how good of an inspiration she was to little kids. Beyonce is so played out, and she only won, because of her name and reputation. That goes for Jay-Z , too. Both of them need to go to the sideline, and let other artists come into the light. They have had their time of fame. She was something when she first came into her solo act, after that it just became boring for me. That's my opinion, though. I like real music, and the message an artist tell when they sing their music. Beyonce does not do that. She brings out what the obvious, and does not change it up at all. Kanye was wrong for that, and he knows her video wasn't the best of this year, because for one Beyonce always brings the same stuff. You are always going to see two dancers in the background, and no activity. BORING!!! I flip the channel every time she comes on. Anyways, Kanye is going to regret this!!! He is going to lose a lot of fans and respect. He should have kept that to himself, because if he knows it or not he boosted Beyonce and Taylor Swift sales up, not his own. That was dumb. He thinks he is above everybody, and thought he could get away with it, NOT!! I feel sorry for him, because his sales are gone and the respect. I guess he doesn't realize people have feelings, and being that Taylor Swift is a growing teenager it's no telling how she took it, and she will never get that moment back. THAT WAS WRONG!!

[bellaone]

I cannot STAND kanye west...what a complete moron. I wish he would just shut up and GO AWAY. He just DISGUSTS me. What a delusional idiot. paleeze.

[King Savage]

I dk why everyone is trashing him, yes it was her time n glory, but even if it was someone else like pink, britney spears, or n e one else, he would of still done it. Why shouldn't he be able to speak out his mind? yes i know it wasn't the correct time but he was out raged and felt that beyonce was robbed. If n e thing, im going to listen to his music more, and even buy a shirt. GO KANYE F DA HATERS. NONE OF THEM ARE ON YOUR LEVEL, JUST BRUSH THEM OFF.

[Alex]

Kayne West is a joke. No respect at all and a complete insult to artists. The apology was again another selfish move to save himself from being boo'd. I stopped listening to his music long ago and I hope people will stop listening to his music.

[rod]

kanye west is sick in the head. he needs some strong medication.....

[Blameless]

The apology is in caps meaning that he doesn't think he is wrong. Come on Kanye try to behaviour normal you are not an animal!!!

[L. A]

GROW UP!

Kanye, in your apology statement you say you're "just real"? Being "real" is understanding you DON'T get everything you want in this world. You acted like a little spoiled brat and it's sad that a 20yr old showed YOU how to carry yourself like an adult with grace and respect. If you didn't like the decision...MAKE YOUR OWN AWARD SHOW! Just stick to the only thing you seem to be good at..MUSIC and shut your pointless opinions. That's the REALITY!

This is - The Real World

[T Eubanks]

I think it is a little too late for apologies....You should have thought about that before you went on stage and made a fool of yourself and took away one of Taylor' most memorable moments of her life and this is what she will probably remember...... Grow up or get out of the business Kanye.......Act like a human being........I have never been a fan of you or your vulgar language..... you are suppose to set an example for our young children who look up to the stars, and you just haven't got it yet have you??? You are a sore loser..........

[jeffm]

I will never buy anything from that PUNK!!!!

[ljay]

OK KANYE U APOLOGIZED BUT FOREAL U WHERE IN THE WORNG BUT AT THE SAME TIME TAYLOR HAS TO HAVE TOUGH SKIN TO MAKE IT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY NO ONE IS GOING TO HOLD HER HAND FOREVER!!!!!!!BUT U KOOL!!!! TIME TO MOVE ON!!!

[ajj]

Kanye needs Christian Bale to come yell at him for 10 minutes.

[Kelly]

Haa its okay :) I love you Kanye! & Taylor :D AND B! Forshure.

[Gabe]

Kanye was just keepin it real, and speakin his mind. I'm not mad at him
He's
Still a great artist and that'll
Neverrrrrr change

[BRUCE]

Just when i started to listen to his music he pulls off a stunt like this!!! fair enough if he was in the running but he diddnt even make that!!

[Max]

This is yet another reason why Kanye is a jerk!!! I am so glad that I have never bought any of his records! His fame and fortune do not mean anything unless he can show a little class and maturity!!! At least Kanye is an example to the kids of what NOT to become! Boo!!!

[cody]

I would have gone with hot and cold, but yet i didnt feel the need to make taylor cry, i think that may be called self control but im not sure :S
but i have to say, leave it to kayne to entertain you by giving everyone that special person to loathe

[Yadada]

I can't wait Southpark to make episode over this!! :)))

[Emma]

Kanye West, who exactly do you think you are? So much for being the "voice of our generation" as you so arrogantly proclaimed yourself. I think you've said enough & we can take over.

[klee]

Kanye you suck!!! I will never support you again.

[chris pell]

I have lost all respect for you KW - I will never EVER buy your music or product you endorse. What you did tonite was just unconscionable. You are yet another out of control crybaby spoiled rotten young black man with too much money and not enough good in you. TRAGIC. You are done man, disappear.

[BarbBO]

Apology WASN'T sincere....He isnt any kind of a man... He's just a spoiled punk racist crybaby!

[Jo]

Kanye was wrong for his outburst and he apologized for it.
BUT BEYONCE WAS UP FOR NINE AWARDS AND ONLY GOT ONE. his was rude but maybe he was right.

[Sally Farmer]

Hey Kanye!!! What Fans? You have none. You think way too highly of yourself and your opinions. Guess what! Other people have opinions too. You took a special moment away from someone and you will never be able to give it back. Now every time she looks at that award, she'll see your ugly face and remember what you did to her. You SUCK!!!