On September 13th 2009, rapper Kanye West jumped on stage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) and interrupted country singer Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for "Best Female Video of the Year." This incident became an instant attraction, appearing on YouTube the same evening for the world to see; and triggering online Kanye West Hate Clubs (many formed the same evening)
Link to original Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K21rLBEfeM&feature=related
It's popularity was heightened by email and blog posts, and Twitter comments from "common folk" lending their opinion. This also included input from celebrities, with an exclamation point added by the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, who called the rapper a "jack-ass" during a CNN interview on Sepember 17, 2009. (video below)
West stated his intention to apologize to Swift and her family, but as of September 15th, according to Swift in a conversation on The View, the rapper had not reached out. Swift's appearance on this daytime chat-box provided additional fodder to this event, which was being passed along via old media (TV and radio), new media (email & text), and new new media (Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube).
Naturally Beyonce was asked to provide her opinion, but Kanye's procrastination in getting an apology out may have prompted celebrities to provide their input as well (e.g. 50 Cent, Shakira, and Snoop Dog); a psychoanalysis was even offered by Dr. Phil during a Larry King Live interview, in which he called the rapper a narcissistic bully.
Link to Video with Dr. Phil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM64geVUhjA
Not only were the familiar avenues of dissemination, such as late-night talk and comedy shows, keeping this event alive, but conservative voices also got into the action by providing commentary from Fox News and a chime-in from Bill O'Reilly during the opening segment of his show, where he called the rapper a "Pinhead"
West also played a role in keeping this drama alive with his emotional appearance on the Jay Leno show the following night of the VMAs. And just when you it was over, the incident was still in the news a month later as Oprah praised Taylor Swift's handling of the matter on her talk show - October 15, 2009. Lastly, adding to the life of this theatre are the countless remixes, spoofs and YouTube commentaries that are here with us to stay.
Remix Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bf6GOAE68c
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