Kanye West Throws Selfish Tirade at MTV Europe Music Awards

The 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards held in Copenhagen, Denmark featured many superstar musicians such Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rihanna, and many others, but only one star managed to make a mockery of himself. During the award presentation for Best Music Video, won by Justice vs. Simian for its video "We Are Your Friends," hip hop artist and producer Kanye West stormed the stage in protest. According to West, his video "Touch the Sky" should have taken the award because it "cost a million dollars." The Justice vs. Simian video features people lying on multitudes of beer bottles while having milk and cereal poured over them. The awards for the show were voted on by fans across Europe.

While shocking to fans, this isn't the first time Kanye West has reportedly had a problem with awards presentations at high profile shows. West allegedly once attacked officials backstage at an American Music Awards show after failing to win the Best New Artist, which was won by Gretchen Wilson. While Kanye West didn't win the award he apparently wanted, he did take home the award for Best Hip Hop artist. MTV has reported that following the show West blamed his outburst on "a little sippy sippy," indicating that he had been drinking and that the booze was the cause of his scene. However, if shocked European fans expected an apology for the selfish scene, there would be no such one issued. West added after the show that he hoped MTV would air his party crashing episode in its entirety with no editing.

Kanye West's other tirades include spouting a comment expressing his hatred of president George Bush during a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser put on by celebrities and featured on national television. West's history of irresponsibility regarding his comments and outbursts during events have yet to yield any backlash from his rather large fan base. West's continues to sell albums at a high rate. While as of late Kanye West has been lashing out while in the spot light, he hasn't always been the man in the limelight. Before his successful debut solo album The College Dropout (2004), West was a famed producer and beat maker behind several Roc-a-Fella Records hits, including Jay-Z's "H to the Izzo." Overall, while these tirades may place him in a bad light with certain fans, don't expect Kanye West to back down anytime soon. The outbursts and lack of apologies for them prove that with each one he continues to rake in the exposure that comes from them.

West, who publicly touts himself on setting a different example than the standard of most hip hop artists, is now eating his own words and drowning himself in the hypocritical stances that he's taken. The flashy, in-your-face attitude seen in his songs and actions will always be tolerated by fans so long as he produces lovable tracks. But what happens when his time has past? What will Kanye West be left with? The answer is simple: nothing. As fans, it's time to put our foot down and say enough is enough. We should be tired of superstars throwing their fame in everyone's face. After all, with the fans, West wouldn't be a superstar. It's about time for a generation of classy artists who display humble character amidst the spotlight of fame. But then again, classy and humble doesn't get your name in the news and your publicity skyrocketing, and it surely doesn't sell albums. By buying albums of selfish stars, we as fans are saying that its acceptable for stars like Kanye West to make a mockery of fans, award shows, and society in general. For a person who makes their living by opening his mouth, would it be great if for just once Kanye West closed his? We can only hope.