On Friday we learned that Kanye West was arrested in the UK after being involved in an altercation with a paparazzo in Newcastle but ended up being released from police custody without having any charges brought against him … which, of course, meant that he had to blog about the whole incident on his official blog in his own special way. Here is the full text of Kanye‘s pap-blasting blogpost in its entirety (all grammatical and spelling errors [and CAPS] are his own):
WHO’S WINNING, ME OR THE MEDIA?
REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH LIGHT I PUT OUT, THERE ARE PEOPLE WORKING JUST AS HARD TO ONLY DELIVER DARKNESS. IF YOU LISTEN TO MY MUSIC, HOW COULD I DELIVER SO MANY POSITIVE UPLIFTING MESSAGES AND BE THE MONSTER THAT THE MEDIA PAINTS. PAPARAZZI GIVE REAL PHOTOGRAPHERS A BAD NAME. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, THEIRS ARE WORTH A THOUSAND DOLLARS…
LET US NOT FORGET THE PAPS KILLED PRINCESS DIANA. WHEN WILL THERE BE A LAW PASSED THAT SIMPLY ENFORCES THAT SOMEONE HAS TO ASK TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOU. THAT WOULD SEEM LIKE COMMON COURTESY. RIGHT NOW THE PAPS ARE ABOVE THE LAW AND THE PEOPLE THEY SHOOT ARE BELOW IT. WHAT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL IS PICTURES TAKEN WITH THE INTENT TO SELL….LIKE DRUGS WITH THE INTENT TO SELL… OR CROSSING CUSTOMS WITH ENOUGH MERCHANDISE TO HAVE THE INTENT TO SELL. THE EXPLOITATION OF MY IMAGE IS THE PROBLEM. IT PRODUCES A “BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY” BEHAVIOR THAT CAUSE THE PAPS TO DRIVE RECKLESSLY ON FREEWAYS, JUMP OVER FENCES AND INVADE PRIVACY ALL IN AN EFFORT TO GET THAT “MONEY SHOT.” YOU SHOULDN’T BE ABLE TO SELL A PICTURE OF ME WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. AFTER THIS LAW IS PASSED, WHEN YOU ENTER A PUBLIC PLACE LIKE A BASKETBALL ARENA ETC., THERE WILL BE A SIGN THAT READS…”ALL PHOTOS TAKEN HERE ARE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND CAN BE USED AT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS DISCRETION.” OBVIOUSLY RED CARPET EVENTS WHERE PEOPLE SHOW UP TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED WILL ALSO APPLY. THE PERSONAL PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE PAPS IS WHEN THEY TRY TO CATCH YOU BEING A REGULAR PERSON. I AM NOT A CELEBRITY. I’M A NORMAL PERSON THAT’S JUST FAMOUS. I REFUSE TO SNEAK IN AND OUT OF BACK DOORS AND KITCHENS OF HOTELS ETC….
I AM PROTECTING MY PERSONAL SPACE SINCE THERE ARE NO LAWS TO PROTECT THAT FOR ME.
I PUT MY HAND UP TO THE CAMERA IN SELF DEFENSE!
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED…WHEN I LEFT THE CLUB, I WAS ENCOUNTERED BY A THIRSTY PAPARAZZI AS USUAL. HE FELT HE HAD MORE RIGHTS TO MY SPACE THAN ME, SO I PUT MY HAND UP TO PREVENT HIM FROM TAKING MY IMAGE. I DIDN’T ASSAULT HIM BUT MERELY PUTTING MY HAND UP TO COVER HIS LENS. MY SECURITY YELLED, “GET THE CAMERA OFF HIM.” I GUESS IN ALL THE COMMOTION THE CAMERA SCRAPED HIS NOSE.
THREE HOURS LATER I GET A KNOCK AT MY HOTEL DOOR. THERE WERE FIVE POLICE OFFICERS IN FRONT OF MY ROOM AND I HAD NO IDEA WHY. I HAD MY SECURITY GO SPEAK WITH THEM. THE COPS WERE VERY CORDIAL BUT TOLD ME THEY HAD TO ARREST ME BECAUSE A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THAT WAS THE BOGUS PART. THEY PLACED ME IN HANDCUFFS AND DROVE ME TO THE STATION. THEY SPOKE ABOUT HOW THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A PUBLICITY STUNT BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER BUT THEY STILL HAD TO GO THOUGH THE MOTIONS. WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL THERE WERE PAPARAZZI HANGING OVER THE BRIDGE ABOVE THE HOTEL TRYING TO GET A SHOT OF ME GETTING OUT THE POLICE VAN. EVEN THOUGH I WASN’T CHARGED, THE DAMAGE WAS DONE. SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT MORNING, PLASTERED ACROSS EVERY MEDIA OUTLET… KANYE GETS ARRESTED. IT DIDN’T MATTER THAT I WASN’T CHARGED OR THE FACT THAT I HADN’T ASSAULTED ANYONE. ALL THAT MATTERED WAS THAT I WAS ARRESTED.
SIDEBAR, THEY QUOTED ME AS SAYING…”GET THE CAMERA OFF HIM!” LIKE I WAS TALKING IN THIRD PERSON. HE TRIED TO MAKE ME SOUND LIKE A CRAZY PERSON AND PEOPLE BELIEVED HIM. WHAT MERIT DOES THIS GUY HAVE THAT HE CAN SAY SOMETHING ABOUT ME AND PEOPLE TAKE IT AS LAW? THE FACT THAT HE COULD GET ME ARRESTED OFF A MERE COMPLAINT BUT I CAN’T ASK HIM TO STOP TAKING PICTURES OF ME IS VERY LOPSIDED.
WHO’S WINNING, ME OR THE MEDIA?
While Kanye does make some valid points, he doesn’t seem to understand that being such a high profile public person makes him fair game for scrutiny when he is out in public. That, by no means, should suggest that the paparazzi has a right to do “whatever it takes” to get a photo but it does mean that he should expect that the multi-millions that he enjoys comes at a price. He may not want to the attention now (that he is far too rich to ever need to worry about working for a living ever again) but that wasn’t always the case … back when he was trying to make a name for himself, I don’t recall him ever railing against the media attention then. In the end, I’m sure that there are many photogs that take things too far and go over the line in the act of trying to take the “money shot” photo but as long as Kanye West (and other celebs) market their fame and celebrity to increase their wealth, they’re gonna hafta deal with the scrutiny … their wealth and fame is all the permission that the public needs to scrutinize them.
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i agree that when you’re famous, it comes with the territory. but at the same time, it does seem weird that people can just take your picture and print it with out your permission. i’m not famous (don’t want to be) and it scares me that some random person can just take my picture and print it with out my permission. are there ANY laws on this????
I agree with him on the aggressiveness of the paps, but if you don’t want people all up in your face, don’t become famous. “I’m not a celebrity” could Kanye be any more full of himself? “Positive uplifting messages” oh please, in which songs? Kanye is full of shit. And his “music” sucks.
Enough Kanye, get over it or go away.
The only person that gives a shit about this guy anymore is himself.
I’d be more compelled to read what he has to say, if he laid off the cap lock.
When someone is in your face and attacking your personal space and their buddies are doing the same it’s human nature to defend yourself. if you haven’t been in the swarm of the papparazzi it’s really unfair to judge someone who’s dealing with it everywhere they go.
Whenever a celeb complains about it imagine how would you feel about that. Just because you are a musician doesn’t mean you want this type of attention.
I agree about the aggressiveness of paps, but Kanye isn’t in this just to make music, let’s be real. He recently proclaimed himself “the voice of this generation” (egomaniac much??) and throws a fucking fit whenever anyone doesn’t celebrate him enough (storming the stage at the Grammys…) so really, I don’t feel bad for him AT ALL
… especially since he’s not the one who was hurt in this.
Wtf is up with the caps? Quit the caps Kanye.
Actually, I must say, this is quite coherent and totally understandable when you see it from his point of view. Honestly, sure, we all like to see the celebs doing their thing….even if it is just being themselves in public, however, I think the real problem is that as long as the paps can sell the pics they will keep harassing the celebs. Kanye is right……..the paps contributed to Princess Diana’s death and they are ruthless in their pursuit of celebs just out and about. I actually don’t really like Kanye West (his music or his attitude) but I gotta agree with his stance on this………;-)
i couldnt have said it any better Melinda. i totally agree (except i like kanye lol)
hee hee Sara……lol
as much and kayne gets on my nerves, because he can be so friggin whiny and childish… he makes a valid point.
paps are reckless, and im sure to most celebs, it’s stalking… i agree their pictures should only be taken at places where they “should be”, like red carpets and events. and im sure it does get really annoying, having to run from place to place covering your face…. but i guess it comes with the fame.
Kanye is absolutely right. How in hell is it legal for these paps to behave the way they do? Forget the intrusion on these people’s lives, but just consider the dangerous driving alone. And the whole “if you’re famous, then you asked for it” is bullshit. Trent, YOU are famous, just from having written this blog and having it become successful. Now its nowhere near the level of fame that Kanye has attained, but what if you lost all right to privacy just for being successful at what you like to do (i.e. in your case, comment on celebrities) and weren’t even able to set foot out of your door? You would be singing a completely different tune.
just because someones famous, doesnt mean the paparazzi should be able to basically harass and stalk them just to get a photograph.
sure, theyre famous, they should expect some. but more often than not it gets WAY out of hand. id have to agree with kanye west on this one.
LOL that some people think I’m famous. I never said that anyone should be harassed, I said that famous people have to expect that they are going to be photographed because they are selling themselves to make money. If a celeb goes to a public place, then can be photographed. If they don’t want to be photographed, they should find other employment.
Like Snorri said what if people start stalking you everywhere to take your picture? You would liked it at first of course but then it would get worst…but at that point (accordingly to what you said) you couldn’t complain because you “have to expect” that you’re going to be photographed. What would you do then? find other employment? I don’t think so… People start in these businesses because they like what they do, not to be stalked around, nobody expects to get so famous so nobody expects to have to run from paps… I admit that is hypocrisy to read your blog everyday and then come to defend famous people’s privacy but…that doesn’t make Kanye’s point less valid…
Which is why I said that Kanye made some good points. But, there are many celebs who seem to have no problem with all that pitfalls of fame and live their lives just fine. Gwen, Kylie, Madonna, etc. all manage to enjoy immense fame and yet, do not resort to physically attacking other people. I’m not defending the paparazzi, I’m merely stating that with fame comes scrutiny. The end.
Poor Kayne :(
Everyone knows when you’re a celebrity you get hounded and your personal space is pretty much limited to your home. Its not a new thing. But choosing to try and become famous but not wanting to be stalked by the paparazzi is like saying you want to be a teacher but not grade work.
Its part of the territory, you have to take it all if your going to chose that path for your life.
Ana, do you really believe Kanye didn’t want to get this famous, and didn’t believe that he would? Kanye fucking LOVES how much attention he gets. He is constantly talking about how he’s the greatest musician alive and everyone should take note. When he doesn’t get enough attention he whines about how he’s not getting the recognition he deserves. I have a lot more sympathy for celebrities who aren’t such media whores.
If the story happened the way he said it did he doesn’t deserve any legal punishment but I’m still not going to feel sorry for him.