Why Taylor Swift (and You) Shouldn't be Upset that Kanye Upstaged Her at the VMAs

So beyonce may have had one of the best videos of all time but she also won Video of the year with a number of other awards as well. Seriously, drunk or not-Kanye is a idiot(put nicely) and really I lost a whole lot of my respect for him. However, I gained alot more respect for Taylor cause even though I have thick skin, I prob would have grabbed that mike back from him, however I also gained about 300% more respect for beyonce. Much love.

Your full of it. You only liked Beyoncé's video because it is sexy and depicts half naked women. It is not one of the best videos of all time, it's porno. That's all it is. Taylor's video is sweet and respectful. As is she. And she totally deserved to win that award. Beyoncé even acknowledged that when she invited Taylor on stage with her to finish her speech. I have nothing against Beyoncé. I think she's very talented, but her video wasn't as good as "You Belong To Me"

Don't be fooled, people. Kanye and Beyoncé were forced by the Nashville Mafia to play along with Taylor Swift's carefully choreographed ploy to elevate herself to even greater fame. She is just that powerful. Only Obama can stop Taylor Swift now.

Or can he?

whatever mike, i'm on TEAM TAYLOR FOREVER!

This article is retarded. Sure, it might all have been staged but I doubt it in this instance. Regardless of that, you think it matters that she has a swimming pool of money to go home to? You think a 19 year old girl can't get her feelings hurt because she makes a lot of money? That she can't get embarrassed in front of her peers and an audience of millions? Doesn't matter how long you've been in the entertainment industry or how thick your skin can be, stuff can still hurt or embarrass you. Doesn't matter how big your bank account is and thick skin doesn't mean impervious.

What a crock. Who voted? You can blame them. You can also blame a guy that hates white people. Kanye West is a douchebag of epic proportions.

Happy, happy! Joy, joy!

Thank you! I don't get the whole fuss over this. Taylor Swift still won an award and thanks to Kanye will probably be getting a lot more face time, record sales, and overall love because of his interruption. And is it really so surprising for Kanye to do something like this? Did it really change anyone's opinion of him?

Also, he's right, Beyonce's video and song is much better.

Michael Saba. Really?

QUESTION: who thinks Michael Saba was sitting around in a coffee shop 2 days ago texting people about beyonce having the most epic and legendary videos of all time?

Thats because he wasnt. In fact, he only said that it was a good video because he heard Kanye say it.

Lets think about it...

3 ladies dancing? Black and White? A call to action for all the single ladies out there? BEEN DONE ONE THOUSAND TIMES.

the only reason anyone is talking about this video is because Sony and Kanye have told you to.

Kanye is an ass clown and a social rain man stuck somewhere in the middle of the evolutionary timeline.

Yes, he has produced some great beats and laid down some strong lyrics. But I think we all agree that its gonna take a whole lot more to give him any type of Marvin Gaye (or Dr Dre for that matter) credit. Kid is still a kid obviously.

And Paste should know better. Best video of all time? Really?

There are better videos on myspace made by local bands with their moms laptop.

Wow.

if only kanye had been patient and waited! he might have changed his tune regarding how much better beyonce's video was when she beat him out for best video of the year!! he's an idiot and has time again proved that ever since the concert for hurricane relief broadcast. i don't know about whether or not i'd say beyonce's video was better or not that taylors, i'm a country fan, so i'd probably go with taylor, just 'cause. but that may be due to the fact that every time i hear beyonce's song, all i see is the SNL skit. now THAT should have won a moon man!!

So Taylor should be happy that the people will now remember her better? What a crock! Kanye is an ass and should never be allowed on a live awards program again

I thought the article was going to address the question: why would anybody who likes music actually care about the VMA's anyway?

It's obvious that the whole thing is all for publicity. Consider that the Video of the Year (Beyoncé) wasn't the best video in its own category (went to Swift).

...but oh well...

Have standards really gotten so low, even in the lowly world of pop culture that Beyonce's video is actually considered tops in any given year, let alone "one of the best of all time"?!? Seriously...wow. The parodies of her video were better than the video itself.

Uh, Beyonce's video just looks like a souped up "20 Minute Workout" (c. 1980s) video. Three chicks in leotards, bouncing, a triadic construction on stage and mood lighting ... it's too bad that there isn't more of a pop culture historical understanding when it comes to videos as film productions, as art in themselves. I disagree with the claim that Beyonce's video is all that special, but I appreciate the public conversation here all the same.

I like neither Beyonce nor Swift, so I'll vote down both videos. All three of them need to retire and save us from their harsh, tedious, boring music.

Why is MTV doing video awards anyway? When do they play videos?

I thought both videos fell short of award-worthy.
I think I'm going to go back to watching The Avalanches video for Frontier Psychiatrist over and over again.
Best music videos of 2009 =
The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother
Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer
Dinosaur Jr - Over It
Jay Reatard - It Ain't Gonna Save Me
Modest Mouse - King Rat
Black Lips - Short Fuse
Franz Ferdinand - Ulysses
Sonic Youth - Sacred Trister
and. ultimately, the saddest video of the year -
Deat Cab for Cutie - Grapevine Fires

If only we could replace the MTV award voters with Steven S, I would have watched this year.

Michael Saba hates whites.

I'm sorry, I fail to see the point that we shouldn't feel bad for Taylor Swift because she needs to have "think skin." or be mad at Kayne for showing the maturity of an eight-year who has been told to go to bed. This is beyond retarded and anyone who would write such drivel should look at themselves and ask, "am I a freaking idiot?" This is not about who had the best video; this is about being a level-headed individual and acting like an adult. If Kayne's that upset about the distribution of an MTV VMA then he needs to get a real life and do something with it. There was no excuse for that type of behavior. We certainly don't accept that behavior from a child who stamps his foot and yells, "I don't wanna go to bed!" and we shouldn't accept it from a person who is supposed to be an adult. This is the kind of crap that makes me want to revoke my subscription: if your magazine can't judge such obvious character flaws, how can I trust your sense of judgment?

Well, the writer here gives a pretty terrible argument for why we shouldn't be angry with Kanye's outburst. Proclaiming it's a waste of energy to condemn a man who makes more money than 99.9% of human beings on this earth for acting downright disrespectful? Instead of being so afraid to take sides in the argument, why don't you stand for what's right.
Tyler Swift wouldn't upset because Kanye got drunk and made a fool of himself. She would be upset because he upstaged her and humiliated her on National television, undeservingly so. Perfect example of the state of our society.

This incident was about respect. Kanye's lack and losing of it and Taylor Swift's receiving it. What kind of jaded opinion is it that Kanye's VMA tantrums are par for the course so it's no big deal that he trampled on an excited winner's moment?
If Kanye did any good from this, it's that he deflated Taylor Swift and possibly stopped her from being an egotistical douche like he is.

TAYLOR SWIFT IS A FAKE COUNTRY SINGER!!! SHE SUCKS AND I JUST GAINED SOOOOO MUCH RESPECT FOR KANYE-! HOLLAR!

TAYLOR SWIFT IS A FAKE COUNTRY SINGER!!! SHE SUCKS AND I JUST GAINED SOOOOO MUCH RESPECT FOR KANYE-! HOLLAR!

I'm just curious what bet you lost that forced you to (lamely and unsuccesfully) try to come up with an excuse for Kanye's behavior.

The person who said Beyonce's video is porno is insane. Taylor Swift didn't deserve to win simply because she is masquerading as a country singer to gain more teenage fans. What is country about her music? NOTHING! I actually like her music but the whole "I sing country music" thing has got to stop. Johnny Cash sings country music, not Taylor Swift.

Kanye is suppose to be someone for the kids to look up to. He has no respect for himself or anyone else. I'm sure his mother is turning over in her grave. He was taught better than that. The picture of him with the bottle of Hennessy says it all. They thru him out and I do not believe he should be invited back to these or any other awards.

This is why Paste is going out of business... trying too hard to play it just so. Not a fan of either, but have some common sense.

Okay, didn't read all the comments, so my opinions are probably mentioned above somewhere or other....

1) West just cannot stand it when he isn't center of attention. That's who he is. People should be use to it.

2) Swift isn't what I call talented, and I don't know why she won in the first place. Though I don't know any other nominees besides Beyonce.

3) So what if Beyonce's video is sexy? I mean damn, it truly should have won just for that. Her dancing, and half naked women done it for me, and I usually err on the side of talent (something in this case, I only see Beyonce having)

So was West right in doing what he done. No. Not at all. Showed no respect, drunk or not. Was Beyonce classy in letting Swift talk during her time? Yes. Do I think it was also a "look at how generious I am!" ploy? Yes indeed.

Did it all make for good entertainment? I guess so. The world seems to be talking about it, and MTV is back on the radar (usually takes an awards show like this for people to remember this is an MTV still).

My only concern is this was the American Television Debut of MUSE, and this whole situation has outshadowed their phenomenal performance.

Thank you

My thanks to Josh.
I realized after posting this there were a few omissions from my list.
To spare time, I'm just going to list one.
I think if that Beyonce video can get away with 3 people dancing and nothing else than The Thermals video for Now We Can See should definitely be award-worthy as well. It's definitely a lot more fun.
Also, in REALLY unrelated news, I'd like to thank whoever put my friends in Icarus Himself (who my band had the good fortune of playing our first show with) on the sampler for the July 09 issue.
Always great to see a friend get recognized.

Kanye sux ,oh wait so does rap!

He acted like an ass. If a white person had of done what he did, he would have said it was racially motivated. He is the one with color issues. And, he's a jerk.

But, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. Not buying a single thing he touches, ever.

I totally and completely agree. I wrote on my blog about it HERE Taylor Swift is a little sweetheart, but Kanye West is an arrogant man and the fact that he looked up from his bottle of Hennessey and his disgusting girlfriend to trouble himself with saying Beyonce is the Queen of Pop, reinforces the fact that Taylor has made it in America. She will be fine, she's 17 and there will be plenty more of VMA's for her to win. I think the fact that Serena Williams was applauded at the VMA's disgusted me and she is way more of a bully than Kanye West.

Kanye West is a douchebag! Beyonce's video was definitely better in my opinion, but he had no right to storm on stage and steal Taylor's moment. Didn't your mama teach you better than that Kanye?

The people that are lashing out at Michael Saba for this piece are retarded. You basically prove his point, how people can get so worked up over something that doesn't even affect them. Yes Kanye is the jerk of all jerks, no doubt about it, and no one's arguing that. This article in no way defends what Kanye did. The point is that in the end, how much did it affect Taylor? I mean yes, she was embarrassed for that time onstage, but really, do you idiots honestly think she's going to need a lifetime of therapy for this?

"Doesn't matter how long you've been in the entertainment industry or how thick your skin can be, stuff can still hurt or embarrass you. Doesn't matter how big your bank account is and thick skin doesn't mean impervious."

REALLY?!?! If having Kanye West interrupt your speech hurts you THAT much, then your skin isn't thick at all. How sheltered of a life must you lead if you consider it SO bad?

"This is the kind of crap that makes me want to revoke my subscription: if your magazine can't judge such obvious character flaws, how can I trust your sense of judgment?"

If you're looking for moral guidance from PASTE MAGAZINE, of all places, then you have no sense of judgment in the first place. People, keep in mind that Taylor Swift has encountered kids who have done FAR worse and traumatic things to her in junior high, and she made it out alive with her mental health intact. Didn't one of the Jonas brothers break up with her over the phone in 30 seconds? And she wrote a song about it and talked about it on Ellen? Well if she could survive those things, I'm pretty sure Kanye making an ass of himself at her expense at an irrelevant awards show on an irrelevant network hurts her about as much as a paper cut. Plus she just became more popular as a result of this which means that more good than bad came out of this for her. So spare me the "Taylor Swift is scarred for life!" crap. What would all of us give to have Kanye West interrupt us as we're giving a speech as the worst moment of our lives. Hell, class valedictorians have had their precious moments interrupted by hecklers and streakers, but NOBODY pities them half as much they do Taylor.

And for all you guys saying Beyonce's video was no work of art, I regret to inform you that Taylor Swift's video will not trump Michael Jackson's Thriller as the greatest video of all time, either. Yeah, her videos have storylines, but boring storylines that are not told in a creative, fun or unique manner. In other words, perfect for her fanbase. And keep in mind that Sinéad O'Connor's video for "Nothing Compares 2 U" was even more simple than Beyonce's: It's just a video of her face. Yet she won for Best Video at the 1990

No. Kanye, this article and your weak, transparent attempt are all utter bullcrap. He knew what he was doing. He think's he's invincible. This is the exact same attitude and reverse racism that created the whole "George Bush hates black people" fiasco years ago after Hurricane Katrina.

The wacko liberal leftists need to stop abusing race and "racism" for their own twisted ends.

1)_"Drama ensued: various B and C-list musicians feigned disgust at the breach of decorum"_
NO 1 was faking. All were mad! KW was rude for no reason! It wasnt even his awards. Let bk get angry!

2)Now that it has been proven that this wasnt staged & KW was being his usal *sshole self, Michael y havent you apologised?

3)_"It's a waste of energy to be breathlessly offended on Swift's behalf and posse up into Team Taylor and Team Kanye. After all, do you really think that Swift's going to be upset that Kanye got drunk and made a fool of himself? Not when she's got a swimming pool of money to come home to."_
& so bc Taylor has a swimming pool of $ she is to be disrespected?

4)"For performing artists, celebrities and every permutation thereof, thick skin is a required part of the job. If they're not going to lose sleep over it, you shouldn't either."
This is bullsh*t. Thick skin? Whatever. I am Team Swift and you Michae; Saba come off ass an *sshole (like KW) in this post.

She should have busted her award up side his stupid head and kicked his sorry ass off the stage

This article and the "Where the Wild Things Are" article makes me regret buying a subscription. Plus I never got my promised T-shirt. Hmmmm, Paste, clean up your act, your making a fool out of yourself.

The fact that Taylor had to perform moments after and she had to get back into a right stage of mind, is totally unfair and rude of KW to do to ANY musician/performer.

I'd never even heard of Taylor Swift before this thing, but retarded stuff like this is why a lot of people don't take rap seriously--or MTV for that matter. Well that and the whole "look at me I'm a punk with no class" attitude exhibited in the lyrics and behavior of a lot of 'mainstream' artists such as West.

STUPID ..who would be happy if u get humilated in front of so many people?u jerk?put your self on that situation..taylor never been selfcenter and that jerk kanye west ruin her moment..and dont talk about money u stupid who needs them if u have plenty of it?i think this article is all stupid i just force to leave commnet to defend taylor..and about the video,people vote for it so it means taylor won and its much more better..it tells story,beyonce video(no offense,ilike beyonce too) is just dancing on 1piecesuit?mybe u enjoy it..per....???teamtaylor..no one have a right to do that no one...lovelovetaytaytctc

It's terribly embarrassing that people are actually this upset about this..but very predictable.

People who win awards at the MTV awards KNOW that they're going to win awards. Otherwise, they wouldn't be there. It's an MTV award, which basically means nothing, because MTV really has nothing to do with music anymore. So, do you honestly think that they didn't know that this was going to happen?

Taylor, Kanye, Beyonce, all of them, ALL OF THEM, are products of their industry. They're all trying to make money and get ahead. The fact that everyone this week is saying their names on every media outlet shows that this carefully orchestrated publicity stunt worked for all of them. Everyone got what they wanted. Use your brains. Actually, you don't even need to use your brains. This should be obvious.

Kanye just happened to do this before Jay Leno premiered his "new" show and Kanye needed to go on there and give his apology. Oh, look, another beneficiary of this enormous publicity stunt. Jay Leno. I bet he knew about it, too! Come on.

Taylor Swift is being portrayed as this innocent little girl who was attacked and publically humiliated. Oh, everyone feel bad for her. She's so damaged. Keep buying into this. You're all doing exactly what everyone calculated and that's what keeps this business going.

you jerks

Am I the only person who thinks the world is being too harsh on Kanye? Yea, it sucks what he did. But worst travesties have happened. It's not like he got on stage and physically threatened anyone. It's terrible what he did, but now everyone who thinks they're anyone is coming out of the woodwork to bash him. Again, he shouldn't have done it, but worse things have happened. People are going overboard.

You call Beyonce's video one of the best of all time? That's just ridiculous. 3 black women dancing in bathing suits, yup that's really creative. LMAO!

Kanye is a total ass and punk. Racist, stupid, drunk.

who wrote this? you're such a fucking idiot

OK Mike, but West is still a jerk plain and simple. I now have absolutely no respect for him.

I know I'm a little late commenting on this, but what I'm about to convey is still relevant. The whole Kanye West Taylor Swift incident is definately staged. Anyone buying into this pop culture propaganda is caught up in the matrix. If any of you think that incident was real, needs to wake up cuz y'all are under the spell of sleep (Leviathan). Look up Vigilant Citizen on Google or Yahoo for the truth. Knowledge is power.

You are at the pinnacle of idiocy.
You denigrate the disgust of fellow musicians because they are only "B-list and C-list." You note Kanye's "apology" was half-hearted but excuse him yourself with the stupid, "let's face it" closer.
Civility matters. A lot. The hip hop generation has embraced--a death embrace really--self-aggrandizment, glorification of violence, misogyny, homophobia and hate. And you want to call it mere showmanship. If I were your father, I'd be embarrassed by your amorality and idiocy.