Tracker Pixel for Entry

‘Imma Let You Finish’

Editorial | February 11th, 2015

My all-time favorite rapper, Kanye West, is right on track to win D-Bag of the Year 2015.

Yes, it hurts a bit to admit that. While, as a fan, I’ve tried searching for words to defend him, the only conclusion I’ve been able to come up with is that Kanye got what he deserved.

After Beck won the Grammy for Album of the Year last Sunday night, Kanye nearly hijacked the stage to protest his win. Instead, in a post-Grammy interview, West went on to say the Grammys made a huge mistake and that Beck should’ve given his award to Beyoncé because her album is more artistic and creative. "If they want real artists to keep coming back, they need to stop playing with us," Kanye said.

While he has every right to speak his mind and “fight for creativity,” Kanye flaunted his “almighty” opinion in the absolute un-classiest way possible. The public’s angrily negative response to the rapper is completely called for. It’s in our nature to respond negatively to blatant conceit and extraordinary disrespect.

Kanye is obviously convinced his opinion is indisputable. He calls himself “a god” after all. That’s why he spoke so loudly and arrogantly of how he felt. But there are better ways to channel our disagreements, obviously. Kanye isn’t the only person who feels Beck should not have won. The clear difference is these other people didn’t make a mockery out of their opinions.

Will this ruin Kanye’s career? Not a chance. He’s continued to thrive after multiple of these incidents. One could say this is part of how he generates new and fresh lyrical/musical content. Insanity?

Whatever it is, it certainly works on someone like me. I legitimately obsess over his music, his lyrical craft and his production. I can’t help it. D-bags, assholes and egomaniacs make crazy good music. (To be clear, warm, kind and gentle souls do as well.) I don’t let musician’s non-music behavior influence my opinion of their music. Good music is good music.

Chances are, you too are a fan of a musician who’s a hateful person in real life. For goodness sake, think of all the artists we love that cheat on their spouses (over and over and over again) and abuse drugs. We all have our vices. Some more than others. We just do a better job of keeping them under wraps. Kanye, on the other hand, has no problem showcasing his evils for the whole world to see.

So ... was Kanye right? Is Beyoncé’s album more creative and artistic than Beck’s?

Certainly Beck is a highly artistic being. He’s been an influential alternative-music figure since the ‘90s and is known for mind-bender tunes like “Loser,” “Devil’s Haircut” and “Elevator Music.”

Though non-mainstream music fans may not agree with me, Beyoncé too is an exceptional artist. Her latest album indeed broke into new musical territory. While she may have the help of co-writers, so do other legendary musicians. Collaborative pieces make up some of the best music ever written.

Still, unless a person listened to both Beck’s and Beyoncé’s albums with an open mind and a non-bias could he or she truly muster an opinion that’s worth listening to.

(Pointing out that one musician can play more instruments and write more songs singlehandedly is not a valid argument in this context.)

Kanye has won 21 Grammys (more than most) and is an exceptionally influential multi-platinum artist and producer. Perhaps his opinion has some weight, though his extraordinary bias toward Beyoncé is reason enough to not take his opinion on this matter seriously. Kanye and Beyoncé are friends and their music falls in the same vein.

What do you think? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWe need Paul Revere on a Harley: “ants and autocrats are coming!”The Asian needle ant has been nesting in the American South since at least 1932. It probably hitched a ride on a freighter from…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com The June 9 death of musician Sylvester Stewart, known much better by stage name Sly Stone, saw an outpouring of tributes, memorials and appreciations from some who knew him personally and many…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comAct Up Theatre, in partnership with Minnesota State University Moorhead, will present “The Sound of Music” on June 10-14. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota State Moorhead’s…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…