# Why does Kanye West continue to try and test the boundaries of assholish behavior? \[VMA Spoiler\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 14, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991 "2009-09-14T01:55:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/61 "2009-09-14T14:21:38Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I’m another one voting for staged. The VMAs stage one stupid, try-to-be-jaw-dropping event for each award show. Sometimes all the participants are not clued in. I don’t think Eminem was in on the teabagging and I’m not sure poor Taylor was in on it either, because she really did look like she wanted to cry. > > Then again, she and Beyonce wore matching dresses and the camera was set up juuuust right for the two up on stage, and both Beyonce and Taylor are actresses. . .. > > Totally staged. AS an FYI, someone linked to an article in that thread. Eminem was in on it. I doubt if Taylor Swift was in on this one, though. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/62 "2009-09-14T14:22:38Z")
Ah - thanks. I’m not sorry I missed it! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/63 "2009-09-14T14:25:57Z")
Wow. You started a thread just to call Kanye West a nigger? What class. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/64 "2009-09-14T14:28:11Z")
> [@Paleface](#): > > Well, it was a good idea, but the N-word got resurected (again) last night. > > [MTV | Homepage - Shows & Schedules](http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621389/20090913/west_kanye.jhtml) I’m not seeing where the N-word was used. Perhaps you could point it out to me? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/65 "2009-09-14T14:28:21Z")
> [@Paleface](#): > > Well, it was a good idea, but the N-word got resurected (again) last night. > > [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621389/20090913/west\_kanye.jhtml](http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621389/20090913/west_kanye.jhtml) I merged this thread with the one that was already here in the Pit. **Gfactor** Pit Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/66 "2009-09-14T14:30:56Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > I’m not seeing where the N-word was used. Perhaps you could point it out to me? He’s calling Kanye West a nigger. Presumably he thought he’d get chuckles, rather than the opprobrium I confidently predict. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/67 "2009-09-14T14:31:00Z")
There’s less hilarity now that the other thread has been merged. The good part was this paleface guy showed up to call Kanye West a nigger. Which was A+ by the way. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/68 "2009-09-14T14:39:22Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > I merged this thread with the one that was already here in the Pit. > > **Gfactor** > Pit Moderator Great, now this thread will turn into bashing \*\*Paleface \*\* for being a racist instead of talking about what an asshole Kanye is. Of course, there’s not much more we can say about the Kanye subject other than he’s a twat. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/69 "2009-09-14T14:39:29Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Then again, she and Beyonce wore matching dresses and the camera was set up juuuust right for the two up on stage, and both Beyonce and Taylor are actresses. . .. > > Totally staged. That caught my eye too. They both happened to be wearing red dresses for that moment? It was perfectly blocked and executed? Gosh, that’s convenient. I don’t know \*for sure \*this was all staged, but I’d bet two dollars to one that it was. Given the camera-friendly nature of the two incidents, the recent history of the MTV Awards and seemingly outrageous but wholly orchestrated events happening there, and the awards’ nonetheless decreasing relevance and appeal, a stunt like this is just too perfect to be real. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/70 "2009-09-14T14:44:25Z")
Staged stunts would be something funny or omg-are-they-going-to-fight like last year, not something that makes everyone uncomfortable like this. Kanye was a just a drunk megalomaniacal asshole who bum-rushed the stage and stole a young woman’s moment. Red is about the most popular color for women’s stagewear, so it’s not unlikely that two performers would be wearing it. Taylor Swift is known for multiple changes throughout award shows. Beyonce is a classy person and did the right thing. I’d like to see her further do the right thing and condemn Kanye’s behavior, but I’m not holding my breath. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/71 "2009-09-14T14:45:02Z")
Whether or not it was staged and whether or not **Paleface** is a racist-- Kanye West is still an incredible ass and does not care if people think he’s one. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/72 "2009-09-14T14:47:15Z")
What’s more, his complaint was pointless, since Taylor Swift won for “Best Female Video” and Beyonce won for “Best Video of the Year” or something like. So it’s not like Beyonce was shut out. Kanye is just like this drunk bipolar dork who needs to be taken down with tranq gun. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/73 "2009-09-14T14:51:25Z")
Seriously, what is this best video of all time business that he kept talking about? Is he referring to that video with the leotards? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/74 "2009-09-14T14:52:33Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > What’s more, his complaint was pointless, since Taylor Swift won for “Best Female Video” and Beyonce won for “Best Video of the Year” or something like. So it’s not like Beyonce was shut out. Kanye is just like this drunk bipolar dork who needs to be taken down with tranq gun. Another reason why I think this was staged. Beyonce happens to win the last award of the night just so she can make her grand gesture. Too pat for me to swallow. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/75 "2009-09-14T14:52:47Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Seriously, what is this best video of all time business that he kept talking about? Is he referring to that video with the leotards? Yep. I’ll be in mah bunk. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/76 "2009-09-14T14:55:40Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > What’s more, his complaint was pointless, since Taylor Swift won for “Best Female Video” and Beyonce won for “Best Video of the Year” or something like. So it’s not like Beyonce was shut out. Kanye is just like this drunk bipolar dork who needs to be taken down with tranq gun. Also Beyonce wasn’t even nominated for the award that Taylor won which makes Kanye look even stupider. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/77 "2009-09-14T14:56:01Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Seriously, what is this best video of all time business that he kept talking about? Is he referring to that video with the leotards? [Yes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVEGfH4s5g), and while I do love that video, it’s not his. Clearly he could have told some reporters he thought Beyoncé had been robbed, after the show. But then, I had no idea the awards were even on last night 'til Facebook started filling with people cursing him out and linking to the clip. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/78 "2009-09-14T14:59:17Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > I just wonder Kanye West is relevant at all. He speaks like an idiot, his “music” is comprised of 5th grade grammar and vocabulary, and he constantly makes an ass out of himself. I think the ONLY reason Kanye is relevant is because of his music. He is one of the most innovative producers/rappers/artists of the last several years. I find it hard to believe that anyone who has listened to him would claim that his music is comprised of “5th grade grammar,” etc. It’s one thing to dog someone out based on their behavior, but you can’t discount his significant contribution to music just because he happens to be an ass. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/79 "2009-09-14T14:59:28Z")
We had this same discussion last year with the Bruno/Eminem stunt and the consensus was that there is simply no way anything that hasn’t been rehearsed hundreds of times happens at a VMA. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991/80 "2009-09-14T15:00:16Z")
Maybe I don’t get it. Giant hair weaves, gyrating, lack of clothing. Not different from your standard rap or Britney Spears video. Meh, regardless of how run-of-the-mill the video was, Kanye West is still an ass. And popes shit in the forest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kanye-west-continue-to-try-and-test-the-boundaries-of-assholish-behavior-vma-spoiler/509991.md?page=5)