Last week ScrapTV.com ran a story entitled “After Jackson Death Kanye West Declares Himself New King Of Pop.” The satirical news Web site quoted Kanye as saying, “You know everyone loves and respects Michael but times change. It’s so sad to see Michael gone but it makes a path for a new King of Pop and I’m willing to take that on. There’s nobody who can match me in sales and in Kanye West respect so it only makes sense for me to take over Michael’s crown and become the new King.
“First there was Elvis, then there was Michael, now in the 21st century it's Kanye’s time to rule. I have nothing but respect for Michael but someone needs to pick up where he left off and there’s nobody better than me to do that. I am the new King of Pop.”
Because the statement didn’t sound too far off from something Kanye might blather about (I mean, he did previously blog that Beyoncé is the new Tina Turner, Jay-Z is the new Frank Sinatra and Lady Gaga is the new Madonna.) other news sites then reported on ScrapTV.com’s story as fact.
Kanye also didn’t get the memo that ScrapTV.com’s story was all a big joke at his expense. Hopefully he doesn’t get too worked up about the content of some of the Web site’s other articles – “Pizza Harassment Becoming Epidemic Across U.S,” “World’s Oldest Man Laid To Rest Despite Feeble Protest” and “Ovarian Cancer Reduction In Men Gives New Hope For Cure.”
On Friday Kanye jumped on his laptop, hit the Caps Lock key and prepared to defend his image through a new blog post:
“I was just listening to Wendy Williams and heard some quote about me saying I’m the new King of Pop. Not only did I not say that, I haven’t said anything. It makes me feel bad that obviously I made people feel that I would be corny enough to say something so whack after the passing of an idol, a legend and more than that a human being with feelings and family. It scares me to think what people will believe, without even a source. Any random person can type something on the Internet and then the world believes it. I don’t talk to press or do TV or do promotions of any sort. I’ve stopped chasing and buying into fame. Fame is like cigarettes with no surgeon general warning. It destroys most people as it did to the true and only King of Pop. We exploit ourselves and eat our own egos ’till there is nothing left. I have a feeling that this won’t be the last false statement with my name on it, but this will be the last time I defend myself. I’m done.”
Wow. Fame “is like cigarettes with no surgeon general warning”?! That’s some deep stuff, Kanye.
Do you really think Kanye will be able to resist defending himself? Will he choose the low tar version of the cigarette pack of fame?
ScrapeTV.com posted a response to Kanye’s blog post, writing, “Though we will make no aspersions on Mr. West’s comments we do stand behind our story and our editorial principles and want to ensure that no one, not celebrity nor politician, is able to alter the truth out of some sense of regret or self-rapprochement. Such abuses speak to the very heart of free speech and the nature of an open society. If you have any further queries or comments please feel free to email us at editor (at) scrapetv.com but please refrain from using all caps as it makes reading quite difficult.”
Click here for the ScrapeTV.com article.
Click here for Kanye West’s blog.