Kanye Trifecta

In case you've been sleeping under a rock, the Kanye West publicity juggernaut is in full effect in anticipation of next week's release of Late Registration. As the dust begins to settle after last week's groundbreaking "Yo, Stop It" on gay-bashing, critics applaud his efforts, but remind us that there is always a larger agenda: "What a way to launch a new CD into the stores and hearts of all rap fans everywhere" notes author and culture-critic-at-large Scott Poulson Bryant. Writer and queer theorist Frank Leon Roberts opines, "What type of message do we send as a black gay and lesbian community when we cheer extra loud for straight boys saying 'homophobia exists' as if somehow their support makes our causes more legitimate."

Meanwhile, Liz Rosenberg and Lizzie Grubman would be proud of the Kanye blitz at the newsstands. The producer extraordinaire covers the most recent Time and Complex. West is also the subject of an amusing interview by Mim Udovitch—of the old Details sex column fame—in the latest Radar. (Unfortunately, no cover at that magazine, but there is a fabulous Tom Cruise-Scientology expose that may have cost them 300 grand.) Like Complex, that mag doesn't offer much of its feature content online, but here is a snippet where Kanye updates Rodney Dangerfield's "I-get-no-respect" shtick.

I don't think I get the acclaim; people don't put me in the top five, as a general consensus. Like, I didn't even get nominated as Lyricist of the Year of the Year for the Source Awards. Or did I? [To someone in car] Did I get nominated for Lyricist of the Year for the Source Awards? [To Radar] Okay. I did get nominated. But I didn't win it. How could I not get nominated as Lyricist of the Year when I have the most Rhymes of the Month?

BTW, Kanye says that fame and fortune did not make his head big. "I was born with a big head. My mother had to have a C-section." At least the guy has a sense of humor.

Now Let's Be Frank (Frank Leon Roberts) Kanye Vents in Complex (EUR Web) Why You Can't Ignore Kanye (Time) Kanye on Gay Bashing (Rod2.0) Stuff Like This (SPBQ)

There's a great Old School Wednesday mix on EJ Flavors. Can't decide which do we love more—the complete version of Streetlife or Chaka Khan's Clouds? Hmm.

Comments

[pamalicious]

HuFF, Puff...damn this rock! I saw something recently and was like "what is all this kanye west stuff for" Didn't know he had a new song, new cd coming out or jack, lol lol Dayum! I might need to give the CD collection a rest and cut on the radio

[kendall]

he's an idiot.

[nOva]

re: Kanye: I encourage you to stay away from my site until I update it again...

[MACK]

Apparently, Kanye, the Religious Right, and Bush have something in common. They hate Black Gay People.