Colbert's Operation Humble Kanye: Accomplished

The mutually beneficial faux-rivalry is not new to Stephen Colbert, nor to the object of his recent iTunes challenge, outspoken hip-hop icon Kanye West. Colbert has engaged in a long-running, friendly feud with billionaire playboy Richard Branson. And just last year, West planned the infamous same-day record release scheme with 50 Cent, leading to the irrepressible success of Kanye's third album, Graduation.

So when the Comedy Central broadcaster called West out during Monday night's Colbert Report episode, the musician was all-too-ready to respond. Tuesday evening, Twitter published Kanye's six-word retaliation. But the damage was already done.

Colbert made a request of his fans (the formidable "Colbert Nation"), to hit up iTunes en mass at a specified time, buy his Colbert Christmas special soundtrack, and knock the notoriously arrogant rapper from his no. 1 spot on the charts.

Who knew that the power of political parody would triumph so heartily over the man who calls himself "the voice of this generation of this decade"?

After Wednesday's soundtrack sales surge, Colbert went from no. 16 to no. 3, and the next day no. 2, while West's 808s & Heartbreak was bumped from 1 to 4.

Will Kanye respond to the gimmick? Stay tuned to his Twitter to find out.

Related links:
News: Stephen Colbert launches "Operation Humble Kanye"
Review: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Review: Kanye West: 808s & Heartbreak

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