Kanye West can’t take a joke, but more than that, he makes it too easy for others to make him the joke.
The “Power” rapper gave what he believed was the “first piece of honest media in years,” when he sat down with Zane Lowe of BBC Radio 1 last week.
In the four-part interview, West addressed a depth of topics including racism, classicism, corporate control in the music industry and the role of media in hampering creatives.
Despite the valid points he made during the interview, there were some quotes that provided a slew of writing material to comedians like late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel. Amongst others, West stated he’s the “biggest rock star on the planet.”
On Tuesday evening, Kimmel released a skit of a child re-enacting West’s BBC interview. The late night comedian considered the skit to be “pretty innocuous.” However it prompted a call from West demanding an apology.
Kimmel told his audience on Thursday evening about the call.
“He said a lot of things. He told me I had two choices – No. 1, apologize publicly. And that was really the only choice – the other choice he gave was, “My life…your life is going to be much better if I apologize. And then he started tweeting today. And I don’t even know if I’ve seen some of these because they’re happening as we speak.”
After the call, West posted a series of tweets slamming Kimmel on his looks, comedic talent and general lack of understanding.
“Jimmy Kimmel is out of line to try and spoof in any way the first piece of honest media in years. I don’t take it as a joke … You don’t have scum bags hopping over fences trying to take pictures of your daughter. Jimmy Kimmel, put yourself in my shoes.”
West continued, “SARAH SILVERMAN IS A THOUSAND TIMES FUNNIER THAN YOU AND THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS IT!!!
YOU CAN’T PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES. YOUR FACE LOOKS CRAZY… IS THAT FUNNY?… OR IF I HAD A KID SAY IT WOULD IT BE FUNNY???
SARAH SILVERMAN IS A THOUSAND TIMES FUNNIER THAN YOU AND THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS IT!!!”
Kimmel tweeted back: “One more of these I WILL unfollow you.”
Do you think Kimmel was wrong for making light of an interview that could have prompted more in-depth conversations? Or is Kanye West overreacting?