New Tweets From John Legend, Tony Williams, and Fonzworth Bentley.
Mar10/2010
“Coldest Winter” directed by Nabil
Feb23/2010
http://www.vimeo.com/9411122Video now available to buy on iTunes HERE .
Album Update from Connie Mitchel of Sneaky Sound System
Jan31/2010
For more info on Sneaky Sound System, click HERE .
Kanye and Pharrell at the Lanvin Fashion Show
Jan26/2010
Devo Springsteen Posts About Kanye’s New Album
Jan26/2010
Kanye Working on a New Blog
Jan10/2010
He’s Back!!
Jan03/2010
Pictures of Kanye’s VH1 Storyteller CD (out on 01/05/10).
Jan02/2010
GLC heads to Studio with Kanye and NO I.D.
Jan02/2010
Possible hint that Kanye is working on a new album?
All Four of Kanye’s Albums Listed on Rollingstone’s 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade
Dec09/2009
Click HERE for the full list.
“The College Dropout” Tops Entertainment Weekly’s Best Album’s of the Decade List
Dec05/2009
01 Kanye West - The College Dropout (2004)
02 Jay-Z - The Blueprint (2001)
03 Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
04 OutKast - Stankonia (2000)
05 Bob Dylan - Love And Theft (2001)
06 The Dixie Chicks - Home (2002)
07 The Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
08 Beyoncé - I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008)
09 Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
"10 Cat Power - You Are Free (2003)
Click HERE to see for yourself.
Kanye West to Release ‘VH1 Storytellers’ Album
Dec04/2009
On January 5, 2010, Def Jam will release VH1 Storytellers, a two-disc DVD/CD with over 70 minutes of live performance footage and audio from his “VH1 Storytellers” concert. Also featured are three never-before-seen performances and a Q&A with Mr. West. Source : Rap-Up.com
Kanye Receives 6 Grammy Nominations
Dec02/2009
Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
(For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Make Her Say
Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common
[Universal Motown/GOOD Music]
* Amazing
Kanye West & Young Jeezy
Track from: 808s & Heartbreak
[Roc-A-Fella
--------------------------
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
(For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Ego
Beyoncé & Kanye West
[Music World Music/Columbia]
* Knock You Down
Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
Track from: In A Perfect World...
[MMG/Zone 4/Interscope Records]
* Run This Town
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
[Roc Nation]
--------------------------
Best Rap Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* Run This Town
S Carter, R. Fenty, M. Riddick, Kanye West & E. Wilson, songwriters (Athanasios Alatas, songwriter) (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West)
[Roc Nation; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Please Gimme My Publishing/EMI Blackwood/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music/All The Above Publishing/Sony ATV/Annauhi Music/Athanasios Alatas Publishing.]
30 Seconds to Mars – Hurricane ft. Kanye West
Nov28/2009
Click HERE to listen to the MP3...
“The College Dropout” Placed #2 on the A.V. Club’s Best Albums of the Decade List
Nov19/2009
For the full list, click HERE.
Kanye Returns to the Public at Beyonce Show, London!
Nov16/2009
Vote for Kanye in Rollingstone’s “Artist of the Decade” Poll!
Nov11/2009
Click HERE to vote (it's very easy).
Glow In The Dark Book!
Oct30/2009
http://www.vimeo.com/7323746Out now! Click HERE to purchase
“We Were Once A Fairytale” Short Film Is Finally Here
Oct18/2009
"We Were Once A Fairytale" Short Film
director - Spike Jonze and starring Kanye West. Originally the video for the song "See You In My Nightmares"
First Look at Kanye West’s “Through The Wire” Book
Oct18/2009
“Through The Wire (The Words And Lyrics of Kanye West)" hits stores in November. The book features twelve Kanye songs with graphic illustrations of the lyrics done by renowned illustrator Bill Plympton. You can pre-order your copy HERE
Sneak Peek of Kanye’s Pasttell Museum Line!
Oct11/2009
Oct10/2009
Images from Kanye’s Glow in the Dark Tour Book
Oct08/2009
More images found HERE
The book is due this month via Rizzoli
3 Kanye Albums Featured on Pitchfork’s Top 100 Albums of the Decade
Oct02/2009
Click HERE for the Entire List
Fame Kills Tour Has Been Cancelled!
Oct01/2009
No reason on why yet.
Fame Kills Trailer!
Sep23/2009
http://www.vimeo.com/6721996"What happened to all the rock stars? The fame killed them!"
Video: Drake – Forever ft. Kanye, Wayne and Eminem!
Sep23/2009
Tour Update!
Sep18/2009
Pre-sale begins within a matter of days! All info regarding ticket sale and the various packages available, please view the tours official site
below is a 360° layout of the concert according to Ticketmaster...
Kanye West x Lady Gaga’s “Fame Kills” Tour Dates Released!
Sep15/2009
Click HERE for the full list of Kanye and Lady Gaga's upcoming tour
A Second Apology From Kanye.
Sep14/2009
"I feel like Ben Stiller in "Meet the Parents" when he messed up everything and Robert De Niro asked him to leave... That was Taylor's moment and I had no right in any way to take it from her. I am truly sorry. "
Posted HERE
Kanye to Guest + Perform on “The Jay Leno Show” Premiere Tonight
Sep14/2009
Kanye is going to be a guest tonight on the premiere of "The Jay Leno Show" (NBC 10/9c). He will likely talk about last night's incident at the VMAS. He is still scheduled to perform "Rum This Town" with Jay-Z and Rihanna.
Kanye Apologizes to Taylor Swift
Sep13/2009
I'M SOOOOO SORRY TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS AND HER MOM. I SPOKE TO HER MOTHER RIGHT AFTER AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING MY MOTHER WOULD'VE SAID. SHE IS VERY TALENTED! I LIKE THE LYRICS ABOUT BEING A CHEERLEADER AND SHE'S IN THE BLEACHERS! ................... ..... I'M IN THE WRONG FOR GOING ON STAGE AND TAKING AWAY FROM HER MOMENT!................. BEYONCE'S VIDEO WAS THE BEST OF THIS DECADE!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FANS IF I LET YOU GUYS DOWN!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FRIENDS AT MTV. I WILL APOLOGIZE TO TAYLOR 2MRW. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!! EVERYBODY WANNA BOOOOO ME BUT I'M A FAN OF REAL POP CULTURE!!! NO DISRESPECT BUT WE WATCHIN' THE SHOW AT THE CRIB RIGHT NOW CAUSE ... WELL YOU KNOW!!!! I'M STILL HAPPY FOR TAYLOR!!!! BOOOYAAAWWWW!!!! YOU ARE VERY VERY TALENTED!!! I GAVE MY AWARDS TO OUTKAST WHEN THEY DESERVED IT OVER ME... THAT'S WHAT IT IS!!!!!!! I'M NOT CRAZY YALL, I'M JUST REAL. SORRY FOR THAT!!! I REALLY FEEL BAD FOR TAYLOR AND I'M SINCERELY SORRY!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!!!
Jay-Z, Kanye, & Rihanna Performing “Run This Town”
Sep12/2009
+ Kanye West Performs Can't Tell Me Nothing At Jay-Z's Live From Madison Square Garden Concert!
“Forever” Video Shoot Picture
Sep09/2009
Kanye shooting his verse for Drake's "Forever" video, directed by Hype Williams.
Kid Cudi Gives A Shoutout to KanYeLive on BBC 1xtra
Sep05/2009
Jay-Z ft. Kanye – Hate (prod. by Kanye)
Sep01/2009
Click HERE to listen to the MP3...
MOBO Award Nominations
Aug29/2009
Best Hip Hop Act: Kanye West
Best UK Act: Mr Hudson
Best Video: Supernova - Mr Hudson ft Kanye West
Best International Act: Kanye West
Best Album: 808s and Heartbreak
Please register and vote for Ye and Mr Hudson
Leak: Drake – “Forever” ft. Kanye x Lil Wayne x Eminem!
Aug26/2009
Click HERE to listen to the MP3...
Final version is set to hit iTunes on Friday!
Official “Run This Town” Music Video
Aug19/2009
“Run This Town” Video Preview #2
Aug17/2009
The video is scheduled to premiere August 20th on MTV.
“We Were Once A Fairytale” Short Film
Aug11/2009
"We Were Once A Fairytale" is a short film that was directed by Oscar-Nominated director Spike Jonze and starring Kanye West. It was a video for the song "See You In My Nightmares", but when two creative geniuses like Kanye and Spike get together on a project, you know the outcome won't be anything normal. In this case, instead of a video, you have a 14 minute short film that debuted @ The Los Angeles Film Festival.
The film will be available on iTunes September 8th.
New Kanye Merchandise
Jul31/2009
Kanye West Foundation Tee
Splash Bear Tee
Flying Bear T-Shirt
All Available at Kanye's Official Store.
Click HERE to see...
Run This Town – Jay-Z feat. Kanye West and Rihanna
Jul24/2009
Click HERE to listen to the MP3...
Preview of Kanye’s Benefit Concert Hosted by FUSE (July 25 8pm/7c on FUSE)
Jul20/2009
Kanye west on the view
Jun10/2009
From Rapradar
Audio: Jay-Z – Death Of Autotune (Prod by Kanye West) CDQ
Jun06/2009
Death of autotone (prod. No I.D. & Kanye West). This the first single from Jay-z off his upcoming album Blueprint 3 expected to come out on September 11th.
Kanye West Releasing His Own Energy Drink
Apr09/2009
Kanye West will release his own energy drink later this year, it has been announced.
The rapper has teamed-up to create the new beverage for the "100% natural and organic" manufacturers Guru.
Confirming the news in a statement, Kanye said he intended to be quite hands-on with his involvement.
"I express myself through music, fashion, art, and design, and that's why I am excited to collaborate with Guru; because the brand values what I value, and I can put what inspires me into this new product", he said.
(from dotmusic)
Kanye #7 on Rollingstone’s list of “100 People Who Are Changing America”
Mar19/2009
Check it out at RollingStone.com
Kanye West Charged with 3 Criminal Misdemeanors
Mar18/2009
Kanye West has just been charged with three criminal misdemeanors — vandalism, battery, and grand theft — in connection with the camera-smashing incident at LAX.
The L.A. City Attorney has charged Don Crowley with the crimes — two counts of vandalism, two counts of battery and two counts of grand theft.
(For more info check CNN.com)
Follow kanYeLive.com on Twitter!
Mar16/2009
To those of you with a Twitter account you can follow kanYeLive for the latest kanYe news and updates:
Go here: http://twitter.com/kanYeLiveDotCom and then click follow.
kanYe @ VH1 Storytellers
Mar01/2009
Check out VH1.com for the full performance, tracks that didn't make the cut, and more.
Flight School (Kanye West & T-Pain)
Feb21/2009
Apparently this is GLC's song but it's missing GLC!?
Walking on the Moon – The Dream ft Kanye
Feb21/2009
Kanye To Perform @ the “Youth Inaugural Ball” (MTV)
Jan17/2009
The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced on Saturday (January 17) that Kanye West, Kid Rock and Fall Out Boy will headline the Youth Inaugural Ball. MTV announced last week that it will anchor its inauguration night coverage from the ball and broadcast it on MTV channels around the world.
"This year, millions of young people got involved and worked to bring change to this country," said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. "We wanted to make sure this Inauguration recognized the important role young Americans are playing in making our nation stronger, and we're thrilled that MTV's coverage will allow viewers across the country and around the world to come together as part of the inaugural celebration."
"Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" will air live on MTV on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. MTV News will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya in the days leading up to the event and in the days that follow.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602981/20090117/west_kanye.jhtml
Kanye West Says He’ll Pose Naked And ‘Break Every Rule Of Hip-Hop’
Jan09/2009
Kanye West has become a worldwide music icon by always telling us the naked truth as he sees it. In the February issue of Vibe — the only cover story he's done to promote 808s & Heartbreak — the Grammy winner contemplates baring even more than that.
"I made a decision. I wanna make popular music, but I want less fans," he told writer Sean Fennessey when asked if he was comfortable with fame. "I want the freedom of having less fans. It's like the freedom of having less money. If you have less money, you have less responsibility. It's like Björk. If she wanted to pose naked, you'd be like, 'Oh, that's Björk.' But if I wanted to pose naked, people would draw all type of things into it. I definitely feel like, in the next however many years, if I work out for two months, that I'll pose naked. I break every rule and mentality of hip-hop, of black culture, of American culture."
Kanye clarified that by "less fans" he meant having a core of 20,000 devotees who understand him, rather than a swell of 100,000 "fly-by-night" followers who just favor him because he's the hot thing out.
West also gave his take on some of his peers, telling the publication that he refuses to say anything negative about fellow performers, but has no problem giving praise where it is due.
"I believe Beyoncé is the greatest performer of our generation," he offered. "I believe I am the greatest entertainer of this generation. I go neck-and-neck on Jay-Z and [Lil] Wayne as far as who's the best lyricist. Jay-Z has longevity."
from MTV.com
The Title of Kanye’s Next Album
Dec12/2008
"Winter Spring Summer Fall" ?
“Gifted” ft. Lykke Li and Santo Gold
Dec10/2008
Kanye West Arrested in UK
Nov14/2008
Kanye was apparently arrested in the UK early Friday.
He was arrested at a hotel in Gateshead, England on Friday morning, after an alleged incident with a photographer outside a nightclub a few hours earlier.
The photographer claims Kanye was upset about being photographed leaving a nightclub and allegedly shoved the camera into the photographer's face, causing a cut on his nose.
After a brief investigation, police said they would not charge Kanye.
Alligator Boots
Sep23/2008
Comedy Central has teamed with Kanye West for a project described as hip-hop meets the Muppets.
A half-hour pilot has been shot for the project, tentatively titled "Alligator Boots." It's from Jackhole Prods., the production company founded by Jimmy Kimmel, Daniel Kellison and Adam Carolla that also was behind Comedy Central's puppet-centric "Crank Yankers."
The project, which is under consideration for 2009, would feature music produced and performed by West and fellow rapper Rhymefest, both of whom are serving as executive producers on the pilot alongside Kellison. West also hosts the pilot; the idea is to have a different celebrity guest host for every episode, similar to the setup on the original "Muppet Show."
Kimmel's brother Jon ("South Park") is co-exec producer on the pilot.
WMA brokered the deal for West, who was in attendance at Comedy Central's Emmy party at STK on Sunday; Matthew Middleton and Darrell Miller brokered the deal for Rhymefest.
(from HollywoodReporter.com)
New CD featuring Kanye and more to benefit Obama
Sep19/2008
Barack Obama's presidential campaign, which has inspired a multitude of songs by stars and amateurs alike, is now getting an official soundtrack.
"Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement," which takes its title from an Obama campaign slogan, features Kanye West, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and others. It is available for sale exclusively through Obama's campaign starting today.
The album includes a song by Malik Yusef featuring Kanye West and Adam Levine called "Promised Land".
Click here to listen to a snippet of the song.
Click here to go to Obama's Official Website to purchase the album.
Kanye West Arrested At Los Angeles International Airport
Sep11/2008
LAX police confirmed to Access Hollywood that Kanye West was arrested at LAX today.
West was arrested at 7:51 AM this morning in Terminal Four on charges of battery and vandalism.
He is still in custody at the airport.
Airport police can't confirm, but they speculate it was due to a situation with the paparazzi
UPDATE: Watch video here!
More Tour Dates
Aug28/2008
# September 19, 2008 - Singapore Indoor Stadium // Singapore
# September 23, 2008 - Hongku Stadium // Shanghai, China
# September 25, 2008 - Fengtai Stadium // Beijing, China
# October 11, 2008 - Sports Palace / Mexico City, Mexico
# October 15, 2008 - Arena Santiago // Santiago, Chile
# October 18, 2008 - TBC // Buenos Aires, Argentina
# October 22, 2008 - Tim Fest at Ibirapuera Park // Sao Paulo, Brazil
# October 24, 2008 - Tim Fest at Marina da Gloria // Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
# December 01, 2008 - Vector Arena // Auckland, New Zealand
# December 03, 2008 - TBS Arena // Wellington, New Zealand
# December 05, 2008 - Rod Laver Arena // Melbourne, Australia
# December 06, 2008 - Acer Arena // Sydney, Australia
# December 07, 2008 - Entertainment Centre // Brisbane, Australia
Thanks to DJ Craze
California Approves New Surgery Rule
Aug15/2008
In response to the death of Donda West, Kanye West's mother, the California State Senate on Wednesday approved a requirement that patients be given a physical exam before elective surgery, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Kanye is Opening a Chain of Fatburgers in Chicago
Aug14/2008
From SOHH.com
Multi-platinum selling rapper Kanye West continues to make history as he plans on opening the first ever Fatburger restaurant in his hometown next month.
According to Chicago's Crain Business, the hip-hop superstar’s company, KW Foods LLC, have uncovered details that show the popular food chain opening in southwest Chicago. They also have the rights to create up to ten Fatburgers in Chi-town and are expected to open the second one next January.
No specific date has been chosen for the restaurant’s official opening day but is anticipated to begin business sometime in September. A third location is currently in talks but will not be chosen until a lease is secured.
08.31.08
Jul15/2008
Happy Birthday Kanye West
Jun08/2008
Today is Kanye West's 31st Birthday.
kanYe @ his birthday party last year
Happy Birthday Mr. West!
“Jesus Walks” Video Storyboard (2004)
May29/2008
Check out this original storyboard for Kanye's Jesus Walks video (Directed by Chris Milk) from 2004. Found by kanYeLive forum member "danielkanye".
Kanye West NYC 5.15 – Can’t Tell Me Nothing
May19/2008
G Shock Event - Can't Tell Me Nothing from kwest on Vimeo.
Kanye West Starts A Travel Company
Apr02/2008
It makes perfect sense to start a travel business when you have a gazillion fans who want to follow you around the globe for every show — or any one show for that matter. Kanye West was in the news today for being one of the headliners for Virgin Mobile Fest in Maryland this summer, but also of more interest to our readers is his new travel company, West Brands LLC.
KanyeTravel.com already boasts an assortment of booking opportunities, but strangely doesn’t tie them into his performances despite a tour list that’s available on his website, KanyeUniverseCity.com.
Neil Abrams, president of Abrams Consulting Group Inc., had positive things to say. “By securing industry expertise, partnering with global reservations systems, and negotiating high-volume discounts with air, lodging and ground transportation suppliers at varied price points, West Brands has assured that the KTV travel experience will reflect Kanye’s style and approach to living.”
Preview of kanYe’s Book “Thank You And You’re Welcome”
Feb05/2008
Click to see full size:
kanYeLive.com MySpace Music Player
Feb04/2008
Check out kanYeLive's Music Player for your MySpace profile!
It's that simple! and best of all, you choose YOUR favorite songs to create your own playlist!
go to www.kanYeLive.com/extras now!
The Lunchbox Auction
Nov13/2007
Kanye West, and other celebrities - including The Beastie Boys, Lily Allen, and Chris Martin - have designed lunchboxes for a charity auction.
Proceeds from the auction will go to The Lunchbox Fund and The Foodbank for New York City to aid in hunger relief in South Africa and New York.
Bidding on the lunchboxes will begin December 6th on TheLunchboxAuction.org
Kanye’s Mother Donda West Passes Away
Nov11/2007
Donda West, Kanye's mother, passed away earlier today.
Kanye is currently heading back home from London after hearing the news.
Kanye and Donda West
Donda was an English professor for over 30 years at Chicago state university before retiring to become Kanye's manager and recently wrote the book "Raising Kanye". She also co-founded The Kanye West Foundation and has received numerous awards including "Outstanding Educator of the Year".
This is a tragic loss for Kanye and his family.
Kanye West & John Legend - Hey Mama (Live in Amsterdam, 2004)
Thank You And You’re Welcome!
Oct30/2007
On January 2, Kanye West teams up with co- author J. Sakiya Sandifer to make his literary debut with Thank You And You’re Welcome!, an entertaining volume of “Kanye-isms ”-- the creative, humorous and insightful philosophies and anecdotes used in creating his path to success. It captures the same wit, playful irony, and piercing insight found abundant in his lyrics.
In Thank You And You’re Welcome! Kanye delivers his personal message uncensored, without any five-second delay or media distortion.
"My book is a guide to creating then celebrating your moment!" says Kanye
The first 500 books sold will be autographed by authors.
Pre-Order Your Copy Today!
Kanye Quotations Collection
Oct20/2007
A cool collection of Kanye West quotes (from Canada.com)
"George Bush doesn't care about black people. They're saying black families are looting and white families are just looking for food . . . they're giving the (army) permission to shoot us . . ."
-- said live on the NBC Hurricane Katrina relief program
"I think white people are allowed to say 'bling.' They are allowed to say old-school black slang, like 'hottie' and 'homie.' Actually, I do not think that (white people) are allowed to use slang until it is at least a year old. If you say a slang word too early, it's like you're trying to be black. So as long as the slang is a little played out, you're all good."
-- giving a lesson on using slang
"If I don't win, the awards show loses credibility."
-- said during a tantrum after he didn't win an MTV Music Video Award
"In America, they want you to accomplish these great feats, to pull off these David Copperfield-type stunts. You want me to be great, but you don't ever want me to say I'm great?"
-- in an interview with Rolling Stone
"You never know how words can save a person's life, physically or otherwise. People like Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi . . . - people whose job it is - I see that in Kanye."
-- Donda West, on her son, in an interview with the Baltimore Sun
"I mean, my music isn't just music - it's medicine. I want my songs to touch people, to give them what they need. Every time I make an album, I'm trying to make a cure for cancer, musically. That stresses me out!"
-- in an interview with BMI MusicWorld
"Sometimes I feel like I'm carrying the whole of hip hop myself, the state of pop music, too. I just try to push the envelope."
-- in an interview with NME.com
"If I was more complacent and I let things slide, my life would be easier, but you all wouldn't be as entertained. My misery is your pleasure."
-- in an interview with Rolling Stone
"It's like, you can't please everybody, but if anybody's got a shot, it's me."
-- in an interview with BMI MusicWorld
"I look at me and Justin like Prince and Michael Jackson in their day."
-- on the professional rivalry between himself and Justin Timberlake, to the AP
"I have no words."
-- to USA Today, on Britney Spears' embarrassing VMA performance
KanyeWest.com
Sep13/2007
Check out the brand new Official Kanye West site @ KanyeWest.com
Cool new features:
- Brand new Official Fan Club!
- All of Kanye's videos from "Through The Wire" to "Good Life"
- All the lyrics from Kanye's albums including the brand new "Graduation"
- Lots more stuff - just check it out!
Kanye Talks About Beanie Sigel on Smack DVD
Aug09/2007
Kanye Nominated for 5 VMA Awards
Aug07/2007
Let's hope this doesn't happen again...
Kanye West has been nominated for 5 MTV VMA awards this year.
Stronger has received 3 separate nominations including "Video of the Year", "Best Director" (for Hype Williams) and "Best Editing in a Video" (Peter Johnson and Corey Weisz), and will be up against videos like Rihanna's "Umbrella", Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around", and Justice's "Dance" (Hmm...)
Kanye's other nominations are "Male Artist of the Year" and "Quadruple Threat of the Year".
Kanye will also be performing at the awards show, which will be shown live on MTV on 9/9 at 9 pm ET.
A Fashionable Life: Kanye West & Alexis Phifer
Jul28/2007
Evel Kanyevel VS Evel Knievel (Update)
Jul11/2007
Source: sptimes.com
Attorneys for the famed motorcycle daredevil and the popular rapper filed papers in federal court Tuesday stating they plan to enter mediation to iron out their differences over West's Touch the Sky video.
In the video, West acts as a daredevil named "Evel Kanyevel," wearing a star-spangled jumpsuit as he attempts to jump a canyon on a jet-powered rocket.
Knievel, whose full name is Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel, filed suit in U.S. District Court in Tampa late last year, accusing West of trademark infringement and unauthorized use of Knievel's image.
Richard Fee, an attorney for Knievel, said the video mimicked Knievel's famous attempt to jump Idaho's Snake River Canyon in 1974.
But of particular concern to Knievel, who lives in Clearwater, was what his attorney described as the video's vulgar, sexual and racially charged content, which he felt tarnished the 68-year-old's image.
In response, West's attorneys argued the video amounted to satire, covered under the First Amendment.
Now, the two sides - and other parties that Knievel's lawsuit named, including Roc-A-Fella Records and music video director Chris Milk - said they plan to meet with Tampa mediator Peter Grilli to try to reach a settlement in the case. West and Knievel will share mediation expenses.
West became a household name following the 2004 release of the album The College Dropout, which won Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for Jesus Walks a year later at the Grammy Awards.
Knievel likewise became known worldwide beginning in the late 1960s for his daredevil motorcycle jumps. He registered his name as a trademark in 2001 and, according to his lawsuit, sales of products bearing his name have grossed more than $300-million.
Pics from Concert For Diana After-Show Party
Jul02/2007
kanYe Performs at Diana Concert Tomorrow
Jun30/2007
Kanye is one of the many artists that will be peforming tomorrow (Sunday) at a six-hour concert held as a tribute to Princess Diana.
You can watch the concert live on VH1 or online at VH1.com at 11am.
For more info about the concert, including a complete list of performers, click here.
Vote for kanYe!
Jun16/2007
Go to bet.com now and vote for Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing to make sure Kanye makes it to the top of the 106 & Park Top 10 Countdown!
Kanye West – Fashion Columnist
Apr03/2007
Kanye is returning to Complex magazine as a fashion columnist, writing for the magazine's Fashion Beatdowns column, after a 2 year hiatus.
March/April 2007 issue of Complex
He first wrote the column in the magazine's February/March 2004 issue, and kept it going until the end of 2005.
Here are some excerpts from his previous writings:
On all-over print hoodies:
Hoodies, hoodies, and more hoodies--how many more streetwear lines can we take? They say hip-hop is dead, and in that argument, people always give props to the originators. In the fashion world, we'd say, let's give props to Supreme and Stussy. And you gotta give Bape props. People say the concept of being cool should be anti-the-establishment. The reason why people dis Bape is because they are so big that now they are the establishment. Like Gnarls Barkley now isn't the same as when people were just emailing the song. (Side note: I can and can't believe that Gnarls Barkley didn't win the Grammys).
On Grey Jeans:
Grey jeans are the end-all, be-all right now. Dior pants in general--last year, Dior annihilated the game. Not that they're new, but my favorite designers are Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela and Alexander McQueen. They're incredible if you have a surplus of money, but to me the true geniuses of fashion are people like Curtains (the Brooklyn rapper), Chris Julian (owner of Fruition in Vegas), and of course, Taz Arnold of Sa-Ra. Those three are at the forefront because they mix-and-match vintage and archive pieces to develop their own new styles.
Kanye's next column will appear in the April/May issue, out next week.
Kanye to perform at Diana memorial concert
Apr03/2007
Kanye is the latest artist to be added to the line up for a commemorative concert to mark the 10th anniversary of Princess Diana's death.
Other artists confirmed to perform at the concert include James Blunt, Pharrell Williams, Joss Stone, Duran Duran and Elton John.
The special show wil be staged at the new Wembley Stadium in London, England on July 1.
"We want it to represent exactly what our mother would have wanted...we wanted this big concert full of energy-full of fun and happiness." said Prince William, son of Princess Diana.
Tickets for the concert sold out within 20 minutes in December.
Kanye and Ray West Walk For Water
Mar25/2007
Kanye was in tiny Lexington Park, Md., yesterday morning to support his activist/entrepreneur dad, Ray West, with a "Walk for Water" rally, which was meant to call attention to water-quality issues worldwide, symbolising the effort many people around the world must make to gather water each day.
The walk was part of World Water Day, for more information visit WorldWaterDay.net.
Ray West was also promoting his "Good Water Store and Cafe" which opened last November, in Lexington Park, Md.
Kanye Buys House In Beverly Hills
Mar25/2007
Kanye is gearing up for the release of "Graduation" later this year with a gift to himself: a Beverly Hills home purchased for close to $7.2 million.
The traditional-style home, with six bedrooms and four bathrooms in nearly 3,300 square feet, has park-like grounds of almost an acre in the flats of Beverly Hills.
This was the first time the house, built in 1921, had been on the market in more than 45 years.
Kanye On New R Kelly Album
Mar13/2007
Kanye is working with R Kelly on a song for R Kellys upcoming album Double Up, scheduled for release in May.
Other artists that will feature on the album include Snoop Dogg, Ludacris and T.I. and Pharrell.
Kanye Works With Swizz Beatz On New Album
Mar09/2007
No, not Kanye's new album (fortunately).
Kanye, along with Just Blaze and some producers that nobody cares about will be producing some songs for Swizz Beatz' upcoming album "One Man Band Man".
Swizz Beatz
"I didn't want my album to be like I was leaning on a whole bunch of other artists like crutches," says Swizz Beatz.
Guest stars on the album will include Coldplay, on "Part of the Plan" and there will also be an "It's Me Bitches" remix featuring Kanye, Jadakiss, R. Kelly and Cassidy.
Fall Out Boy – This Ain’t A Scene… (Kanye West remix)
Feb23/2007
Download Kanye West's remix of Emo/Punk band Fall Out Boy's This Ain't A Scene It's An Arms Race now!
Download (Right-click and choose Save Target As")
Rhymefest – El Che
Feb15/2007
Rhymefest is back in the studio recording his sophomore album El Che.
Rhymefest - real name Che Smith - says he's hoping the album will include contributions from Kelis, Ghostface Killer, DJ Premier and Kanye, who is expected to play a bigger role in this album than he did with Blue Collar.
What's interesting, however, is Fest's claim that this will be the first "Hip-Hop album/Stage Musical."
"The album tells a story from front to back, and you're gonna have songs you can take from the album and put them on the radio, and you won't even know the difference." says Rhymefest.
Together with Anthony Mosley and the Chicago theater group, videos are being planned for every song on the album.
Watch The Game – Wouldn’t Get Far Video!
Jan30/2007
Watch The Game's video for Wouldn't Get Far (Produced by Kanye West) now!
Update On Kanye’s TV Show
Jan14/2007
Kanye has confirmed the rumors but wants us to know that the show is NOT a reality TV show.
I wouldnt do something as clich as a reality show. At least give me the credit for being more creative than that, said Kanye Its a situational half-hour comedy. Its fictional, and loosely based on my life."
He has been working on the pilot episode for the past two years with Larry Charles and Rick Rubin.
"Maybe this will give me the opportunity to spaz out at the Emmys one day."
Kanye West Gets His Own TV Show
Jan10/2007
Kanye is set to star in a reality TV series centered around a day of his "crazy" and "hectic" life.
The show - which is currently untitled - will be directed by Larry Charles (Borat, Seinfeld) and will be shown on HBO.
We don't know when it will be on, or what it will be like, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out....but a reality TV series? Come on Kanye, you're better than that...
Wouldn’t Get Far Video Shoot
Jan10/2007
Kanye and The Game recently shot the video for Game's new single "Wouldn't Get Far".
The song, from The Game's latest album "Doctor's Advocate", was produced by Kanye and features a verse from him.
"He's got so much style and class. He jumps around in the videos. He's saying how all the chicks dig him; they dig me too," said Game, "Kanye is one of my homies - we both young, black, rich and famous."
Other people featured in the video, alongside Kanye and The Game, are Pitbull, Lil Jon (he's still relevant?) and Gloria Valez.
"It wasn't really a dis, I shouted them out," Game said about the lyrics in the song. "It's all in the fun, good nature of hip-hop. We're just having fun. It was never nothing personal.
Evel Knievel Sues Kanye??
Dec12/2006
Robert Craig Knievel a.k.a. "Evel Knievel" has filed a lawsuit against Kanye West, claiming copyright infringement on his name and likeness for the character Evel Kanyevel in Kanye's Touch The Sky video.
"That video that Kanye West put out is the most worthless piece of crap I've ever seen in my life, and he uses my image to catapult himself on the public," he said.
The 70s stuntman also claims that "vulgar and offensive" images in the video have damaged his reputation.
The lawsuit seeks damages and to halt distribution of the video.
You Know What This is… It’s A Song Feat. Kanye, Rakim, Nas and KRS
Dec06/2006
Nike are hosting the 'One Night Only' celebration at Gotham Hall this Sunday, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Air Force 1 sneaker.
At the celebration, Kanye, Rakim, KRS-One and Nas will perform a brand new song dedicated to the Air Force 1.
The song is produced by Rick Rubin, who also produced Run DMC's My Adidas.
And no this is not the new Kanye song we're waiting for, the name of that is The Glory.
Kanye West at the American Music Awards
Nov21/2006
Kanye has been nominated for two awards at the American Music Awards tonight (Tuesday, November 21st).
He is nominated for Favorite Male Artist in both the Rap/Hip-Hop category and the Pop/Rock category.
He is up against artists such as Sean Paul, Jamie Foxx, and Neyo.
Other artists with more than one nomination include Eminem, Kelly Clarkson, and Mary J. Blige.
In the event that Kanye does't win the awards, will we see a repeat of what happened at the MTV EMAs...? I doubt it, but he may have something to say...!
The Awards Show will be broadcast live in the U.S. on ABC at 8/7c
Check back later for more updates.
Update:
Kanye left the AMAs empty-handed!
He lost the Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist award to Eminem (who hasn't even released a real album for over 2 years) and the Favorite Pop/Rock Artist award to Sean Paul...
Wow.
Kanye Speaks on MTV Awards Incident
Nov06/2006
"I dont have anything against the group that won. Im gonna download their album right now. I didnt mean to be offensive in any way. I love you guys. I never heard of you (but) I am your friend." Kanye told MTV UK in response to what happened at the MTV EMAs in Europe on Thursday.
Kanye has been heavily criticised by the media since the show aired on Thursday, but is it really that important anyway? It's just an awards show after all. An MTV one. I'm sure those 45 seconds were the most entertaining of the night.
In related news, The New York Post has said that the entire thing was staged, "to play off of [Kanye's] cocky image"; claiming that sources told them Kanye and the winning group were "joking around with each other backstage" afterwards.
