Kanye West

Taken from Complex

Rappers have always been quick to put Kanye West on a song. Early on some probably did it as a means to getting one of his beats. Later, maybe ’cause he was a nice guy. Then, obviously, it was because he was a superstar and selling point. But we always secretly thought a part of it was that these rappers, competitive as they are, just didn’t feel threatened by ‘Ye, lyrically. Take Jay-Z, for example, who just threw out “Run This Town”, the new single off Blueprint 3 featuring none other than Kanye West. Well guess what, Big Homie? Lil bro here fucked around and murdered you on your own shit!

But then, really, should Jay be surprised? We started thinking about all the other times rappers invited Yeezy onto their songs, and we noticed a trend. Every time ‘Ye has a chance to shine next to your favorite rapper he goes in and goes in hard! (Pause) Whether you’re in agreement or disbelief, keep reading to check out Kanye’s 10 Best Scene-Stealing Guest Verses (rap songs only) complete with audio clips and our favorite lines. Apologies to those who got laid out, but stop sleeping on the kid!

Peep the list of fallen:
[CONTINUE HERE]

FROM 'THE JO WHILEY SHOW'(UK radio):

It helps to have the biggest name in music on your side, especially if you've managed to piss off millions of people on national television. Luckily for Kanye, his longtime friend and RocNation President, Jay-Z, is standing up for him. While still riding high on breaking Elvis's record for most number 1 albums in history, Jigga puffed his chest out and defended Ye on Britain's BBC Radio One ‘Jo Whiley Show'. According to Jay, Ye's not crazy, he's just “super passionate.”

“He's just a super-passionate person, and of course it was rude because it was Swift's moment, but that's the way he really felt. He's been that passionate from his first record.”

He then went on describing a time when Ye got his “passionate” ass on a table while Jay was in the middle of penning the very first Blueprint saying,

"He used to jump on tables ...I was trying to make the first Blueprint, he's jumping on tables, rapping, and I'm like, 'Yo, not now.' That was just him. He's always been that passionate."

Feeling incredibly comfortable and candid with the radio host, he described what happened the day after the infamous outburst when they performed “Run This Town” with Rihanna on the ‘Jay Leno Show'. While millions of viewers saw Ye nearly break down talking about his mother, what they didn't see was the lecture he received from Jigga moments before. He says he told him he was “rude” and that what he did was “inappropriate.”

"I told him I think it was rude, and that he has to watch his passion. At the end of the day, we're going to celebrate him for his passion more than vilify him for it. Because his passion, which caused him to make Graduation and all these great records, is the same thing that causes him to step out of line sometimes. So as he grows, he has to learn how to balance that. And he'll learn that in years to come. That passion right there ... that wasn't fake or staged…it was how he really felt, and it was just inappropriate. It wasn't fair to Taylor."

Although he admits that his friend was wrong, he does not place all the blame on him. The history making MC made it a point to also point out that the media has over hyped the situation and he thinks the whole thing's been blown out of proportion saying that "he didn't kill anybody."

"I mean, it's an awards show, really, and I think it's a bit blown out. He's on the cover of every paper, he didn't kill anybody. Nobody got harmed. I don't think he should lay low, I think he should go on tour and have a brilliant career. It's an awards show.

To hear the full audio interview: [CLICK HERE]

[SOURCE]

Live at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards: Jay-Z performs "Empire State Of Mind" with Alicia Keys. Also after opening act, first award announcement, Kanye ruins Taylor Swift's VMA acceptance speech, all for the good of Beyonce who lost the nomination for Best Music Video. Hellova night for the Roc Boys.

Singer Kanye West stole the microphone away from Taylor Swift -- taking her thunder with it -- as she accepted her award for best female video.

The 19-year-old was giddy when she won, saying: "I always wondered what it would be like to maybe win one of these someday, but never actually thought it would happen." Even in her wildest dreams, she probably didn't conjure up the next unfortunate event.

West jumped on stage, took the microphone and protested that Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video should have taken the prize, according to Entertainment Weekly.

"Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time," he said, as a shocked Beyonce looked on and the crowd began to boo West.

[SOURCE]

New video from Kanye West's album 808's & Heartbreaks. "Paranoid" features the motherfuckin hot Rihanna on film. Welcome to the good life.

"Amazin" by Kanye West & Young Jeezy

At the 51st Grammy Awards last night, Lil Wayne entered the L.A. venue with eight nominations! Tha Carter III took home the Rap Album of the Year award, presented by vocoder-boy T-Pain and will.i.am, beating out Jay-Z's American Gangster, Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool, T.I.’s Paper Trail and Nas’ 'Nigger' untitled project.

His single “Lollipop” and "A Milli" earned him Rap Song of the Year and Rap Solo Performance of the Year respectively. His part in the posse-cut “Swagger Like Us” handed him another gramophone award for Best Rap Collaboration.

Jay-Z, Kayne West, T.I. (all of whom had their own performances on the bill) join a ready-to-pop pregnant MIA with her classic 2009 anthem "No-one on the corner has a swagger like us!" Hip-hop held its own at the Grammys!

The hottest rapper in the industry came and proved. Now I'm catching vapors! - Rip [ed]

Check the evening's hip-hop performances below.

"Tie My Hand" by Lil Wayne & Robin Thicke

Lil Wayne Wins a Grammy For Best Rap Album. SPEECH!

"Dead And Gone" by T.I. & Justin Timberlake

"Lost" by Coldplay & Jay-Z

"American Boy" Estelle & Kanye West

Live at the Grammy Awards: "Swagga Like Us" by MIA with Lil Wayne, TI, Jay-Z & Kanye West

Taken from Bossip.com -

Yeezy is going to relax on the singing and vocoder bit for a while and focus on getting his gear line, Pastelle, off the ground by taking on some internships:

Kanye West is reportedly putting his music career on hold - in a bid to make a move on the fashion industry. The Stronger hitmaker - who last month said he “will go down as the voice of this generation” - is looking to diversify his portfolio by expanding his knowledge of style and clothing design by offering his free services at a fashion house - preferably Louis Vuitton or Raf Simons. “I was blown away from the planet when he told me,” Simons told the New York Times. “I know he’s very serious about this - I don’t take it as a joke - but how can I imagine him being my intern? It’s a very extreme situation.” Although Kanye, 31, is yet to confirm the reports, the star has hinted at his intention of pursuing a more focused path in the fashion world. “I want to and will be the real thing,” he previously wrote in a blog entry. “I will not just be a ‘celebrity designer.’”

Diving into world of fashion via an internship will definitely allow him to learn a lot. But, if he is looking to set any type of a trend with regard to working for free, he shouldn’t hold his breath.

[SOURCE]

Not quite making the mark of the previous Platinum-in-a-week 'Graduation', Kanye's '808's & Heartbreak' reached number one with 450,000 sales upon it's initial week's end. Recession, internet piracy and a creative effort swaying against the grain can be formed into reasons of weaker sales for kanyeezy, but still impressive for today's industry.

But aspiring to be better than Elvis Presley?...

Rank	Artist	Album	This Week	Est. Total
01	Kanye West	808's & Heartbreak	450,145	451,395
04	Beyonce	I Am...Sasha Fierce	257,377	740,554
05	Ludacris	Theater Of The Mind	213,493	214,126
16	T.I.	Paper Trail	74,792	1,303,834
21	T-Pain	Thr33 Ringz	48,769	278,318

Kanye West performs on David Letterman

Two weeks until Kanye West's new album drops "808 & Heartbreak" has Yeezy running ragged promoting his latest studio effort.
Sky High is the mixtape taster, featuring remixes of various West-produced tracks compiled by DJ Benzi and Plain Pat.

The Sky High track list

1. "Sky High Introduction"
2. "Good Morning (The Kickdrums Remix)" (featuring Big Sean)
3. "Champion (Nick Catchdubs Remix)"
4. "Barry Bonds (Eli Escobar Remix)" (featuring Lil Wayne)
5. "Crack Musik (Cookin Soul Remix)"
6. "We Major (The Kickdrums Remix)" (featuring Nas)
7. "Get Em High (A-Trak Remix)" (featuring Common)
8. "Throw Some (Cousin Cole Remix)"
9. "Electric Touch (Mighty Mi & Steve1der Remix)" (featuring Lupe Fiasco)
10. "Love Lockdown (Tom Wrecks Remix)"
11. "Flashing Lights (Diplo Remix)"
12. "Addiction (Kenny Dope & Terry Hunter Remix)"
13. "Stronger (A-Trak Remix)"
14. "Workout Plan (Chaise Marcel Remix)"
16. "Impatient Boy (Benzi Refix)" (featuring Will.I.Am)

[DOWNLOAD HERE]