MTV VMA 2016: Watch Kanye Discuss “Famous” Video, Taylor Swift in Speech

MTV VMA 2016: Watch Kanye Discuss “Famous” Video, Taylor Swift in Speech

Kanye West was nominated for a two awards at this year’s MTV VMAs:  Best Male Video and Video of the Year for his controversial “Famous” visual. He also got free rein to do whatever he wanted during the show. Here’s what he decided to do: He debuted his new video for “Fade,” but first, he delivered a speech. “I am Kanye West,” he began. He discussed recent shootings in Chicago, why he included Ray J and Donald Trump in his “Famous” video, the whole Taylor Swift thing, his love of Beyoncé, why he always talks about Steve Jobs, and much more. Read the full transcript here. Here’s the speech:

Kanye’s history with the VMAs is an interesting one. Last year, Kanye received the Video Vanguard Award. (That honor went to Rihanna this year.) Similarly, he was reportedly given free rein to do what he wanted, and while he had planned to perform, he changed his mind mid-show and decided to announce his presidential candidacy.

That award was presented to him by Taylor Swift, who Kanye famously interrupted at the 2009 VMAs. Kanye and Taylor’s seemed to be friends this time last year, but following both the lyrics of “Famous” and its video depicting a nude Swift, the two sides appear to be feuding. Swift did not attend this year’s VMAs. In 2013, he performed “Blood on the Leaves,” and in 2010, he performed “Runaway” with Pusha T.

Read “Fine, OK, Let’s Talk About Taylor and Kanye” on the Pitch. 

Follow the rest of Pitchfork’s coverage of this year’s VMAs here

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