The Internet Is Losing Its Mind Over Kanye West’s New Music Video, Because Of Course It Is
Well played, Kanye. Well played.
Yesterday saw the release of Kanye West’s latest music video, triggering a reaction that was predictably hysterical. In case you missed it, the three minute NSFW clip, set to the tunes of West’s already controversial single ‘Famous’, features the rapper naked in bed next to his wife Kim Kardashian West, flanked by lifelike approximations of ten equally naked celebrities including Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, Caitlyn Jenner, Rihanna, Chris Brown (ew), Bill Cosby (ew!) and former U.S. President George W. Bush.
WHY IS HE LIKE THIS #TIDALXFAMOUS pic.twitter.com/DibVDBi2ry
— bunny boo (@stairwaytogold) June 25, 2016
The music video, which can be viewed in full via Tidal, has naturally sent the internet into a miniature meltdown, with fans speculating over whether the celebrities gave West permission to feature their likenesses (we’re guessing no), or if there could even be lawsuits on the way.
Calling a lawyer near you… #TIDALXFAMOUS pic.twitter.com/RE6puWxKCX
— Giuseppe Anthony (@ItalianMonster8) June 25, 2016
when you realize your husband is about to get sued by literally everyone #TIDALXFAMOUS pic.twitter.com/bvkPdvND6n
— adina® (@dinahsukulele) June 25, 2016
The rapper, for his part, doesn’t seem too concerned, declaring in a (since deleted) tweet “can somebody sue me already.”
Of course the big question is how the stars shown in the video will react. Chris Brown posted about it on Instagram, while American tabloid US Weekly managed to wrangle “no comments” out of Jenner, Cosby and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Oh, and an aide for Bush helpfully clarified that the ex-President didn’t actually pose for the shoot. Good to know.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, meanwhile, West said that the video wasn’t meant to endorse or condemn its subjects, instead describing the clip as “a comment on fame.” Either way, you’ve really got to hand it to him: he sure knows how to generate publicity. There have been countless articles (including this one) written about the video in the past 24 hours alone, which arguably says more about our celebrity-obsessed culture than the song or music video itself.
Well played, Kanye. Well played.
The entire internet right now. #TIDALXFAMOUS pic.twitter.com/l7kTzZbRQ2
— Andrew Nucatola (@andrewsfancyhuh) June 25, 2016