Kanye West Cements His Place In Pompous Ass Hall of Fame

It makes sense that everyone is talking about last night’s MTV Video Music Awards for reasons other than the actual videos. This is MTV in 2009, and videos are low on the priority list.

Instead, people are talking about the performances – Janet Jackson tribute to her brother, Lady Gaga’s bloody fantasy sequence. But mainly, it’s how Kanye West was even more of an ass than usual.

West has a lengthy history of crashing the stage, or being generally disruptive, at previous awards shows. But last night was particularly appalling.

As 19-year-old country/pop star Taylor Swift accepted her award for Best Female Video, she was interrupted after by West. “Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ll let you finish, but Beyonce has one of the best videos of all time,” said West. “One of the best videos of all time!”

An embarrassed Swift stood stunned for a few seconds before MTV cut to a pre-taped sketch. The reaction was immediate – the audience, which likely was full of West fans before his arrogant outburst, began booing as he stepped down from the stage. The boos only increased with each further mention of West, whether as a nominee or when Diddy gave him a shout out.

Twitter was full of snap reactions, including from some in the crowd. Shortly after it happened, two VMA performers unleashed on West from somewhere in Radio City Music Hall. Katy Perry tweeted, “FUCK U KANYE. IT’S LIKE U STEPPED 0N A KITTEN.” Pink wrote, “Kanye west is the biggest piece of shit on earth. Quote me.”

According to Rolling Stone, West was immediately kicked out of the show. So he missed Beyonce Knowles win Video of the Year – and bring the crowd to their feet as she called for Swift to come back out and make her speech. The classy move put a close to the Swift storyline, while Kanye will continue to draw heat.

He posted an apology of sorts on his blog late last night, but it’s gone as of this morning. (Part of what it said: “i’m in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment!……………. beyonce’s video was the best of this decade! I’m sorry to my fans if I let you guys down! I’m sorry to my friends at mtv. I will apologize to taylor 2mrw.”)

There’s already this fantastic remix of the outburst, calling back to another now infamous interrupter from earlier this week.

Here’s the moment:

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