# Kanye West is a complete fucking idiot **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 25, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927 "2010-11-25T23:21:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/81 "2010-11-27T02:23:50Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > “Most people stick to music that they listened to from ages 13-30, think just about everything ‘this generation’ listens to is awful and the musicians have no talent. Story at 11”. > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > This argument falls apart when you consider how many people are in their 20s and still hate most of the the music of ‘this generation’. The music snob scene, the whole Pitchfork crowd, are all in their 20s. The wife and I are in our 50s, and we listen to a lot of new stuff. If we don’t have MTV (out of Taiwan; lots of good new Chinese artists, but Western stuff also gets played a lot) on, then the radio’s playing, and there are no classic-rock stations. So we actually are familiar with a lot of new work. Believe me, it’s not because we’re older that we don’t like Kanye. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/82 "2010-11-27T02:26:56Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > This argument falls apart when you consider how many people are in their 20s and still hate most of the the music of ‘this generation’. The music snob scene, the whole Pitchfork crowd, are all in their 20s. Not really. 90% of music today is complete crap; that is absolutely true. However, 90% of '60s music\* was crap, too. The remaining 10% is what people will wax poetically about and how “today’s music” is just _nowhere_ near the level of blahblah. The 90% doesn’t get played much anymore\*\* and has faded away, leaving people to think that the good 10% is 100% of what was produced. The 1920s American book scene was filled with crap that no one (save libraries, scholars or collectors) remembers, but most people will focus only on Faulkner, Hemingway, Sinclair and Fitzgerald. The fact the 20s had these (and other) amazingly talented authors doesn’t change the fact their works were only a small percentage of what was published that decade. - Insert decade/year/genre/whatever of your choice. \*\* Which is funny, because often the most popular songs are in that 90%. Take a look at charts for any year before, say, 1980; a decent number of the songs on any chart will be unrecognizable (or “oh, that’s that song that’s in (commercial/tv show/movie”) to just about everyone under, say, 40 (and those over 40 may still not remember 'em). ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/83 "2010-11-27T02:32:05Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > The wife and I are in our 50s, and we listen to a lot of new stuff. If we don’t have MTV (out of Taiwan; lots of good new Chinese artists, but Western stuff also gets played a lot) on, then the radio’s playing, and there are no classic-rock stations. So we actually are familiar with a lot of new work. Believe me, it’s not because we’re older that we don’t like Kanye. No one said you had to like Kanye if you listen and enjoy to new music. People have different tastes and preferences. There are a lot of bands/musicians that are Good\* that I don’t personally care for and don’t feel like I “should”. But I’ll also acknowledge that the artist(s) do have true talent; it’s just not used in a way that makes music I don’t enjoy. Just because I don’t like someone’s music doesn’t mean I think they suck or are talentless. - for any objective(ish) measure, like musical complexity, great lyrics, innovation, etc.etc.etc. ---
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/84 "2010-11-27T02:34:48Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Not really. 90% of music today is complete crap; that is absolutely true. However, 90% of '60s music\* was crap, too. The remaining 10% is what people will wax poetically about and how “today’s music” is just _nowhere_ near the level of blahblah. The 90% doesn’t get played much anymore\*\* and has faded away, leaving people to think that the good 10% is 100% of what was produced. The nostalgia filter. In 30 years my generation will be pining for the good old days of 2010 while our kids accuse us of being old and boring. _sings Elton John_ “It’s the ciiiiiircle of life…” ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/85 "2010-11-27T02:42:53Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Um, no. “We’re bigger than Jesus” is endearing. “I acted like an asshole on national television, embarrassed one artist by stealing her acceptance speech time, then embarrassed another by saying she should have won, then had a heart-to-heart with the world about it via Twitter, THEN said I didn’t regret it” is just stupid. “We’re bigger than Jesus” is endearing now. Was it at the time? And did he actually say “I didn’t regret it”? The article sure doesn’t quote him as saying that. I’m not sure I trust the source without an actual quote. > [@xenophon41](#): > > This. I’m not sure what would make Kanye bring this shit up again more than a year later. What, was the negative press fading too quickly for him? > > Just put music out, dude. Did Kanye bring it up again? > [@zweisamkeit](#): > > “Most people stick to music that they listened to from ages 13-30, think just about everything ‘this generation’ listens to is awful and the musicians have no talent. Story at 11”. Too true. Although i might say 13-25 might be more accurate. > [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Not to be this person, but she started it with the VMAs this year with her crazy ass maudlin performance (I mean started it by bringing it back up. Kanye had basically gone into seclusion). You shouldn’t have been that person. Whatever she’s done doesn’t excuse his actions. I’m not sure the article isn’t being spun to make Kanye look like a dick, but even if some of those quotes are out of context, he’s still sounding somewhat dickish…whether or not Taulor “started it”. That’s irrelevant. > [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Yes, you’re 100% right. That poor Kanye West with his lack of hit albums and production deals is one step away from working fast food. Poor guy. You realize he’s already been around-- attitude and all- for a while now? You really shouldn’t be this person either. > [@kidneyfailure](#): > > I like some of his songs…doesn’t mean he’s not an infantile dumbass, though. And, yes, I realize that alot of celebs are, but I think he takes pop star egotism to an unheard of level. For some, egotism and attention-whoring can actually make your music better because it acts as an image enhancer, but it’s very easy to go too far. I think he does and that turns plenty of people off, #1 album or not. Go ahead and read the comments attached to the article I linked in the OP. I give him 10 more years at most before he disappears. Hell, five is probably more like it. I really doubt this will turn off most of his fans. When does this behavior, or worse, turn off fans? > [@SecondJudith](#): > > I love this guy. I don’t believe for a second that his seemingly-dickish behavior is because he’s malicious – he’s just overwhelmingly invested in music and is really earnest about it. You’re probably right. But the guy really needs a little bit of tact. Some sort of governor. He kind of comes off as a 14 year old hipster who is so sure that his taste in music is the only one that matters (not a rare quality here for that matter). The passion is admirable, the narrow-mindedness, not so much. A little graciousness would go a long way, But I’ll have to check out his latest. I’ve keep hearing good things about it. I tried to like Blackout, but Britney’s voice really grates. Way too nasal. I much prefer covers of her songs. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/86 "2010-11-27T02:43:53Z")
I don’t like R&B as a general rule, just not my thing, and I don’t like much of the music that’s been produced in the last 20 years (some exceptions of course). He might be an ass and I’m even feeling kind of sheepish in saying it, but damn if he can’t write a tune. So he hurt some C&W singer’s feelings? I think I’ll get over it. It’s a lark and I hope he keeps on putting out great tracks. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/87 "2010-11-27T02:49:41Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > No one said you had to like Kanye if you listen and enjoy to new music. People have different tastes and preferences. There are a lot of bands/musicians that are Good\* that I don’t personally care for and don’t feel like I “should”. But I’ll also acknowledge that the artist(s) do have true talent; it’s just not used in a way that makes music I don’t enjoy. Just because I don’t like someone’s music doesn’t mean I think they suck or are talentless. > > - for any objective(ish) measure, like musical complexity, great lyrics, innovation, etc.etc.etc. Yes. I was just pointing out that our dislike for Kanye is not automatically an age issue. In fact, it’s not even a talent issue. We’re simply not willing even to give this jerk a chance. He’s forfeited that with his over-the-top childishness. I guess it’s similar to what many people feel for the likes of, say, Mel Gibson these days, a genuinely talented person who has alienated a large proportion of a potential fan base. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/88 "2010-11-27T02:57:27Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > it’s just not used in a way that makes music I don’t enjoy. Herp derp! Double negatives: 1, me: 0. “it’s just not used in a way that makes music I enjoy”, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/89 "2010-11-27T03:03:18Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Herp derp! Double negatives: 1, me: 0. “it’s just not used in a way that makes music I enjoy”, obviously. “For there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.” Now, _those_ are lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/90 "2010-11-27T03:57:53Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > “We’re bigger than Jesus” is endearing now. Was it at the time? > > And did he actually say “I didn’t regret it”? The article sure doesn’t quote him as saying that. I’m not sure I trust the source without an actual quote. Yeah, but did Lennon throw a hissyfit every time someone criticized him, or he didn’t win an award? I think Kanye’s problem is that he likes to dish it out, but he can’t take it. (I would LOVE to see him take on someone who could – and would – kick his ass. Not because I wish the guy ill. But just because I’d find it amusing, in the “pull up a chair and pass the popcorn” kind of way) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/91 "2010-11-27T06:32:35Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > \ And from all of his past incidents, it’s apparent that those who “measure up” are black, and those who don’t, are white. So it’s a very racist ongoing arrogant and dismissive attitude, one that’s proven time and again with each new little Kanye temper tantrum. Kanye West doesn’t care about white people! > [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Not really. 90% of music today is complete crap; that is absolutely true. However, 90% of '60s music\* was crap, too. The remaining 10% is what people will wax poetically about and how “today’s music” is just _nowhere_ near the level of blahblah. The 90% doesn’t get played much anymore\*\* and has faded away, leaving people to think that the good 10% is 100% of what was produced.\ I think you’re probably right. I listen to a lot of current music and love it; then I listen to a Top 20 countdown show or something and think 19 out of the 20 songs are terrible. Then I get recommendations from youse guys and get more good current music. I think where older people get stuck is that they think what is playing on the radio is all there is to new music. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/92 "2010-11-27T06:56:13Z")
\*And I can’t fight this feeling anymore. I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for. It’s time to bring this ship into the shore. And throw away the oars forever. …And if i have to crawl upon the floor. Come crashing through the door. Baby I can’t fight this feeling anymore.\* ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/93 "2010-11-27T07:40:21Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Kanye West doesn’t care about white people! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/94 "2010-11-27T07:54:13Z")
It’s people like Kanye and Britney and Taylor and their little public spats that make me realize that getting older and losing touch with popular culture isn’t really a bad thing at all. Honestly, I wouldn’t recognize even one song that any of the 3 have put out. Or maybe the song itself might ring a bell, but I’d have no idea who put it out. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/95 "2010-11-27T08:32:45Z")
I’m fine with people saying that Kanye’s too good to care about his antics. But I don’t like it when people downplay what he did. He didn’t like the results of a contest, so he threw a hissy fit, interrupted live TV, and took away that one moment where you’ve actually know that people like you. If any other person did that, they’d be banned from the contest, and in serious jeopardy with their job. Since the guy gets a pass, I find myself wishing karma would bite him. Honestly, I think Ms. Swift has every right in the world to capitalize on this guy’s douchebaggery. In fact, I wish she’d have been able to do a lot more. She’s probably the only one in a position to actually inflict social punishment on the man. She could provide what karma won’t. Then again, all I know about Kanye comes from that the George Bush thing, South Park, the VMAs, and this thread. And I wrote him off back with the first thing. I figured that would be about the same level as at least the first Mel Gibson thing, except I didn’t know the guy was supposed to be popular in the first place. Generally, I assume people pulling stunts like this are losing the limelight. But from what y’all have said in this thread, I’m putting this guy on the Glenn Beck scale (at the low end, but still there.) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/96 "2010-11-27T08:37:57Z")
Scratch that–he should probably be on the Michael Jackson scale. He refuses to grow up. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/97 "2010-11-27T08:47:07Z")
He’s Adam West’s son, right? ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/98 "2010-11-27T13:31:51Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > And did he actually say “I didn’t regret it”? The article sure doesn’t quote him as saying that. I’m not sure I trust the source without an actual quote. “If I wasn’t drunk. I would’ve been on that stage longer,” sure as hell sounds like, “I don’t regret it.” ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/99 "2010-11-27T14:13:00Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Well, you know what they say – there’s no accounting for taste. 😉 Yes I did notice 😉 but still wanted to say that the cultural history of the world is all about “accounting of taste”. I would go even this far and state that without discussion on cultural tastes of all kinds there would be no need for Internet. I mean, even discussion on Linux vs. Windows vs. MacOS is in it’s core a discussion about cultural values represented by computer operating system. So, yeah, I’ll never get tired of this kind of discussion mostly because it is an opportunity to expand your horizons if it happens that a particular taste catches something inside of you. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/100 "2010-11-27T14:40:17Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > \*And I can’t fight this feeling anymore. > I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for. > > It’s time to bring this ship into the shore. > And throw away the oars forever. > > ..And if i have to crawl upon the floor. > Come crashing through the door. > > Baby I can’t fight this feeling anymore.\* [Can’t fight this feeling anymore](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_smKyihbQ3s) - cow style. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927.md?page=6)