Matt Lauer Interview with Kanye West on Today Show (full version)

[rodrigosalasja]

big talent. small brain

[ThreeD0gg]

The Today show can suck my ballz!

[bembahadur]

stop this fukin racism....

[eXceLGamingTube]

its not that they play the video while he's speaking its the fact the whole interview they were trying to portray him as an arrogant twat that's why the video was planned to be played, theese two idiot news presenters are so fake

[knaanmuusika]

sir kanye is a real person.... a real human

[CaterTheHater]

matt lauer quit gettin in the middle of shit

[thuglife6771]

you bunch of dum mother fuckers

[thuglife6771]

bush is a rascist

[davidlolhaeber]

most disgusting moments about his presidentsy how about 911

[marcusdolby1]

@davidlolhaeber Didnt say the most you liberal fuckhead. He said ONE OF the most.

[nyker07]

Here was Kanye's chance to say "I fucked up and honestly I'm turning a new page...sorry I've been acting like an asshole" and yet what does he do? "Act more stupidly" as he says in one of his songs.

[xXGOHHH123Xx]

Matt Lauer says that Bush said that Kanyes comment was the worse moment in his presidency. He didn't. Go back ten seconds, he said that it was ONE OF the most DISGUSTING moments in his presidency. Not the most, and no the worst. Matt Lauer is an idiot. So is Kanye.

[KingPrince28]

Matt Lauer got owned. Way to say what's real Ye.

[TommyMaverickMusic]

I don't know, I feel like it's unfair to play that clip while he's trying to talk. You know, he probably feels really sensitive about that moment and his mistakes. He did a good job going up there to apologize. They tried to take his reputation down a notch... Reporters are always trying to do that. They don't respect people.

[LimitedEdition0423]

kanye west. period.

[RBG02005]

I hate Kanye's personality to the T.

He acts like he's above giving a simple apology.

[GothEvilButterfly91]

OMG, what he did to Taylor Swife was so dumb. Taylor Swift won because people love new voices, not race. Kanye West hates his mistakes because he could watch the video with him and swift

[GothEvilButterfly91]

You know damn well you don't want to say sorry Kanye, you couldn't even say it. Of couse everything you say/do is taken into headlines, what you do is outrageous, immature, out of line, unnessesary, and just plain stupid. JUST SHUT UP KANYE, YOU KNOW YOU DON'T CARE.

[GothEvilButterfly91]

At 3:25 no one was talking, he was just looking for an exuse to not talk because hes got nothing on Bush, hes just wants attention.

[MegaManofFaith]

@GothEvilButterfly91 how in the hell do you know if anyone was talking????? You were not there in the studio. While I'm a Kanye fan, I know he gets his self into ALL the shit he's been in, but I get tired of you people always talking about shit you don't know about. Just because you didn't hear anybody from behind your computer doesn't mean he didn't hear people being rude while he was trying to have a convo. Kanye needs to grow up for sure but how about you don't say stupid ass things anymore?

[GothEvilButterfly91]

@MegaManofFaith Ok, calm down, omg, your right ok, no need to blow up.

[GothEvilButterfly91]

I hate it when people always go straight to race when they don't need to and when they have no evidence of racism.

[JocaShotRapper]

No one is probably gonna read this,

Im just gonna write it any way because i feel at least one person will,

i'm a rapper... i knw theres like 100,000 of those in this world lol

But I'm different promise that... if u give me a chance ill show u

I would love nothing more than to have a decent following on youtube from people

if anyone who reads this could press the "THUMBS UP" other people will see it

just a simple button press could make my dream come true thankU

check me out

[TheRokuhazzaku]

@JocaShotRapper Try hard, and you can do it. You got one more person believing in you. Replace this jackass and be better than him if you get famous.

[stickmantan]

if Kanye is upset that "everything I say is drawn into headlines" then he probably should not be on the Today Show.

[nationwidefilms]

I think Kanye West was brave to go on the show and admit he was wrong. He was very emotional and felt he was being disrespected by Matt Lauer by them playing the clip on top of Kanye interview. Lets forgive him and move on. He is a very talented artist. And I feel he is a good person . We all behave badly at times. I know I do.

[kgiese1]

I love how people drag President Bush into Kanye West's inability to keep his foot out of his mouth. "George W. Bush is an egonmanical (sic) buffoon who became president because of "yes-men", horseshit values, and a well connected family." You clearly have no concept of the political process if you believe this. Regardless, Kanye West is an egomaniac and he has caught a lot of flack for it. It seems as if he really has taken a step forward, though, and is actually trying to become a better man.

[syeshasucks]

Matt Lauer is a dink..

.puts words in kanye's mouth while kanye is articulating his thoughts..

.candy coats bush's slow response to H Katrina..

.comes across as disciplinary/judgemental..

.coerces kanye into trying to watch/reactto clips.. manipulative

.belittles kanye's reaction to sound distraction during the interview..

.

[raqc25]

I would've chose-oh I'm supposed to use proper tenses-chosen...

4:54 "Me being a rational well-thought out empathetic individual.."

What an egotistical maniac.

[goods1ful]

blah! blah! enogh with all this stupid shit' there is plenty of real shit going on in our world right now! than to be waisting any more time on these bozo's, stop this mindless babel and fight each other already! kanye west vs. matt lauer in the ufc octogon with the winner to face george bush for the title of biggest douch bag! after they fight than they will respect each other..

[shway05]

It's over, the album is officially out and it is AAMMAAZZZINNNGGG, shut up haters

[7digitss]

Lauer's a prick, why try to guilt trip the guy, he's already had enough controversy around his name, and this happened a few years ago, why can't they just get over it and move on? Bush isn't president anymore.., and for him to sit there and virtually take sides with Bush despite how bad he and his administration messed up the country, shows how much of a bigot he is, he just doesn't make it obvious.

[7digitss]

@7digitss oh yeah, it's because bush wants more publicity for his book... what better way then to get kanye to apologize?... and bring up something from years ago.

[CorneliusMcGee]

@7digitss Yea it's the subtleties that make the entire thing disgusting.

[vampyre4208]

I submit that just because you attend college doesn't make you educated. Being cutured and considered intelligent is an assumption that people can only make while interacting with other people, not from a piece of paper. You can be a genius and still not have common sense. The only interaction you have with Kanye is through the media or his albums. If we base our assumptions off of the media, those who don't listen to his genere of music can only assume he is lacking comunication skills.

[shway05]

@vampyre4208 Therefore you are assuming he is uneducated, inarticulate and not intelligent having never met him. If you've listened to his other interviews besides this one you realize how smart he actually is. He takes pride in speaking his mind and he always has. Even if you think he isn't a genus he is an artist, if you watched his critically acclaimed short film Runaway you'd understand how deep he is, but you haven't so nothing you say about him can be taken seriously

[vampyre4208]

@shway05 Therefore I am not assuming anything, only pointing out the obvious. It doesn't matter how smart a person is, or how smart someone else think they are, if they can't articulate that with their words they are not good communicators thats all. I didn't say I believe he is not intelligent, you assumed that. No one here can know what he personaly believes, because no one here knows him personaly, the only conclusion you can draw is how he acts in public.

[shway05]

@vampyre4208 And a majority of what he does is positive he's had 3 bad incidents which you have seen How many positive articulate interviews do you think he's done. How many charity concerts has be put on, how many struggling kids has he helped out. The answer is a lot. I have seen more than this interview and 2 two incidents and you have not. Therefore I am a lot more qualified to judge his character than you or any other poster on here that only sees the events the media chooses to show to you

[shway05]

@shway05 Like the man said himself, "Don't believe anything you see on the news"

[vampyre4208]

@shway05 Ok, you're more qualified then anyone else to judge a man's character, obviously he's your hero and there's nothing wrong with that. At least you don't back pedal your remarks like your hero does, and say you're sorry when you're not, I can respect that.

[CorneliusMcGee]

@vampyre4208 He actually never said he's sorry. Matt Lauer said that.

[hehblk]

What am I missing here with you people?? Here you have a 4 term president and he says the most disgusting part of his tenure was a statement made by a rapper. FUCKING REALLY?? Not Katrina, not 911, not 911, not the war? And Kanye is the problem here? WTF!!!

[vampyre4208]

@hehblk Two term president a term is four years, and he said "one" of the most disqusting moments of his presidency, not the worst.

[CorneliusMcGee]

And Matt Lauer you piece of shit, Bush said "That was ONE OF the most disgusting moments in my presidency." He didn't say it was THE worst moment.

Get your quotes straight asshole.

We all know there were many shit moments in Bush's presidency, so at least Bush can fess up to this one. And I guess cuz this time it was personal.

[Denisehealthnut]

@CorneliusMcGee

You are so right.

President Bush saying it was one of the most disgusting moments of his presidency is not the same as saying it's the worst moment.

That is irresponsible journalism. Of course he had a motive, to get Kanye to break down or something. I have my own opinion about the whole thing but please report the facts and not put words in anyone's mouth Matt Lauer, needs to apologize to the viewers for irresponsible journalism.

[shway05]

@Denisehealthnut Go do some research. The interview was set up because of the book he released. In the book he said his worst moment as president was Kanye West calling him a racist.

[CorneliusMcGee]

Matt backed him into a corner by doin that "Look at his face" shit. This ain't fuckin Oprah. Why would you ask a grown man that if you're not tryin to belittle him or rile him up. Kanye shoulda said "I'm sorry for saying it but I'm not sorry for what I said." Just man up.

[applemeplz]

@CorneliusMcGee  black people are stupid. period.

[pushover1]

What a brat.  No class.

[Seston]

why does matt lauer get blamed for playing the clip?

[elsewherebeats1]

He did NOT apologize!!!!!!!! Get that 1 fact straight!!!!!

[pushover1]

@elsewherebeats1 "In my moment of frustration, I didn't have the grounds to call him a racist."

"I came here to man up to mistakes I made."

"I did not have enough information to call him a racist."

"Thinking about it after the fact, I would've chosen different words."

"I didn't realize the power of my words."

[pushover1]

@elsewherebeats1 You are right, he didn't quite have the balls to just say "I apologize."

[CorneliusMcGee]

@pushover1 Actually he didn't have the balls to say "I don't apologize."

[ratchedd]

you forgot one douche bag.. Bush

[shesodior]

Only If Kanye Was as articulate As the Late GREAT TUPAC SHAKUR...Tupac was 23 and could handle any journalist like he was 50. Tupac put thought behind his words and was wise beyond his years......

[shway05]

@shesodior Tupac was a criminal, literally. It's funny that people say Kanye should be more like him. Go ahead and beat women and shoot peoeple, but don't you dare interrupt an award show or be the 500,000,000th person to call GW a racist, get your damn priorities straight.

[romanhulk1]

They are both Douche bags stop defending one or the other.

[ratchedd]

America has 5000 men and woman die in a war for oil and money... 3000 people in a fake terrorist attack... and THIS is HIS low point? GOD... wake up. I think Kanye addressed it well and was honest about being pissed off which is more than i can say for most. Fan of his music but was not of him till I heard him. Lets play a tape of matt supposedly cheating on his wife during an interview and see if he likes it

[HipHopHead5611]

@ratchedd I KNOW RIGHT???????????

[ratchedd]

America has 5000 men and woman die in a war for oil and money... 3000 people in a fake terrorist attack... and THIS is HIS low point? GOD... wake up

[BOXDOG718]

FIRST HE SAYS SOME AND THEN HE GETS ALL NERVOUS WHEN THEY ASK FOR AN EXPLANATION! FUCKIN CLOWN !!

[00Arian00]

shut the fuck up matt

[mariaeg01]

I don't support this ignorant jerk....... I'm never buying his music. He does not deserve any support. He degrades people and believes he is better than anyone around him. IDIOT!!!!!

[shway05]

@youdick22 Wow, if people didn't speak their mind do you know how boring and uninteristing the world would be. If people didn't express themselves there would be no music, no art, no comedy, nothing. That is a very narrow-minded post. What if John Lennon never spoke his mind?

[shway05]

@youdick22 Don't lecture me on Lennon or The Beatles. I know more about them than you could ever hope to and if you like to engage in a debate I will happily show you my superior knowledge of the Fab Four or psychedelic rock in general. Kanye is not uneducated, unlike 99% of his peers Kanye graduated high school and attended college. Just last year he spent time in Italy being an intern for a fashion agency, he is cultured, intelligent and educated, you don't know him so stop making assumptions

[shway05]

@youdick22 haha like I said, I know more about The Beatles than you ever will in your lifetime and I'm 20 years old. I'll show you if you want so don't try and one-up me by saying you listen to The Beatles, I will blow you out of the water with my knowledge of them. I have all 14 albums plus the Lennon Naked tapes, Harrison's instrumental album, the entire anthology project, and about 20 unreleased songs you've never even heard like Heather Leather which would become Helter skelter

[shway05]

@youdick22 Oh and BTW, Go check the ITunes top albums list. 1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy..2.My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy(Deluxe Version) Quit hating he won

[youdick22]

@shway05 Alright alright. Sorry for the Homo thing. Your right I just listened to "Dark Fantasy" I have to say I was blown away. I still dont like his attitude but who cares about that. I have been listening to rap and hip hop since 87 this album may represent a defining moment for rap as a whole. Im not sure what to do to commemorate this turn around I have Had except to apologize to you and erase my comments, cheers.

[shway05]

@youdick22 I accept the apology and am glad to see this change of heart. Well I do agree he is over the line, his talent is incredible. I'm not sure if you have heard his earlier work or not and it is not as good as this album, but his first 3 albums are exceptional with an emphasis on College Dropout, great great music. No hard feelings whatsoever, enjoy the music, I know I am.

[shway05]

@youdick22 Oh, not to annoy you but please just go listen to Power Remix with Jay-z. It is the definition of killing a track, ridiculous lyrics and insane flow. you don't hear that many people go that hard on a track.

[youdick22]

@shway05 I did and I while thanks for the tip Loved "Power"

[dcaff1893]

@youdick22 and buy his album :D

[shway05]

@mariaeg01 Go ahead, he doesn't care. He's still going to sell upwards of 5,000,000 albums in the next month

[DJFU999]

Bush started two wars, invaded a country that did not attack us, half ass responded to Katrina damage and plunged the country into the worst economic downturn since The Great Depression. But the low point of his Presidency was what Kanye West said about him? Wow.

[Chasenbww]

America is Racist! period

[BattlegroundQueen]

@Chasenbww whatever mate, easy to attack the top countries but then others are in need or trouble they will turn to USA again (as well as others). We are not perfect but then no country is

[zzzxxyy]

Kanye West is an egomanical buffoon who can't do an interview because of his vanity. George W. Bush is an egomanical buffoon who became president becuase of "yes-men", horseshit values, and a well connected family. They both deserve each other.

[babyjaime2007]

@JGrant1984 I wouldn't actually call that an apology tbh

[gthim812]

All the money in the world......and still a LOSER!!

[prrockstarr]

went down they came a week later when people that survived died bc of the bodies that produced poisonous chemicals what do you have to say to that huh huh exactly nothing

[prrockstarr]

kanye west is the man they want to make him look like shit bc he is black and if you think about it bc if that was a black girl he did it to they would not be making a big deal pay attention to details lil mama did it to jayz and you dont even hear about that shit now kanye is racists wow if u say so america is racists and as you can see its hard being black in the media also bush is the worse president ever and now we have sympathy get the hell out of here where was he when katrina

[AskAboutMe103]

You took not you to

[yungun77]

Kanye conducted a modest interview in which THE MOST IMPORTANT THING he had to say was being interrupted by "Taylor Swift's Ruined Moment @ the VMAs". But let's take a look at the VMAs instead of concerning ourselves with what he did. In 85, Sade lost best new artist to Til Tuesday. Gwen Stefani lost all 5 of her nominations in 05, some to Britney Spears. And West got snubbed for Black Eyed Peas in 07. Do we REALLY think that media has our best interests at hand? I don't think so.

[lmorganjr]

Whose was worse (given the nature of your understanding and background): Kanye West's comment or the George W. Bush's tenure as President of the United States of America?

[werdup1]

NO CRYING!!!!!! CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS!!!!!!! FORGIVE FORGET AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE!!!!! WHY DID I WATCH THIS CRAP!?!!!?!!?!!? I'M NOT FEELING WELL NOW THX ALOT!!!!! WHOS KANYE WEST? OH.

[sohooded]

@werdup1 West the Pest is a moron.

[mkl62]

Dis nigga gots a problim.

[lcromy]

Kanye West has to be one of the biggest P.R. idiots this world has ever seen. He's given an opportunity to repair his image via his absolutely immature an uncalled for comment about Bush in 2005, says he's sorry but then retracts it. Essentially he has people believe he's changed then pull that thought out by acting even more immature about "being ropped into apologizing" COMMON MAN! BE A MAN!!! Cancelling your peformance on the Today show, retracting your apology just shows you are a manchild!

[kiptoy123]

It would appear that Lauer was shoving it in West's face. The videos were gratuitous, meaning they were not not necessary. West did not need to see, in particular, the MTV event on broadcast on the big screen. He was perfectly capable of reflecting upon his actions without the video sensationalism. I am not a fan of this guy..He has an ego the size of the planet Jupiter, but I do understand his saying "...we don't need all that jazz."

[isaiah0137]

@kiptoy123 They seem to do this all the time with other people though.....he's just feeling to guilty and instead of being and man and apologize he continues to be immature.

[AskAboutMe103]

@kiptoy123 You to the words right out my mouth. And plus when your running off of emotion you tend to say things you don't mean, but in all reality you mean it at that particular time. It is what it is, and don't act like the shit haven't happen to you.STAY UP KANYE!

[mrjwalker83]

in other news.......

[alexiabellful]

and why people freacken over wat he say.its nt like cuzed through this hole interview.he can have his moments but i think he did right.people ack like its so big like he shot someone.com on peps yall need to let it go.nt sooooo serious bout this.

[alexiabellful]

i dont think he didnt say nthen wrong.hes just keeping it real.hes a person that says wat he has to say.you gt a problem he will tell u wat he has on his mind.shucks jst like me.no need to tell lies.jst be real.

[baire702]

oh my good ness, Kan-yee is such a cry baby. own up to your actions; if you don't want to face them again, don't act like, what did President Obama call him? oh yes, jack-ass.

[alexiabellful]

@baire702 -yeayea

[rachrach35]

Matt did sorta smirk when he said Kanye would be returning. Did he say that after Kanye tweeted he wasn't going to? Idk, I don't understand the "hub hub" either.. Whatevss. I understand both sides.

[Reconseal4050]

KANYE WEST SHOULD HAVE WENT TO THE SHOW AND SAID I WIPE MY ASS WITH GEORGE BUSH BOOK EVERYDAY!!!

WOW........DID U SEE HOW KANYE ALMOST RAPED MATT ON THE SET!! OK....MAYBE HE ALMOST GOT JUMPED FROM THE LOOKS OF IT.

HMMM.......WONDER HOW IT LOOKS LIKE IF HE GOT JUMPED???? MONSTER MONSTER MONSTER HRRRRRRRRRRRR.................­.................>>>>>>>>>>>>

[GoDzSuPeRiOr]

Ok so Kanye made some mistakes so the fuck what?

People make such big deals about some stupid ass shit that doesn't even matter.

[alvycolt45]

gay fish

[bambam92117]

I imagine Kayne is in a lot pain on the heels of his mother's untimely death. He must be trying to deal with this pain through his music and performances, but his unkind words about Bush and to Swift are interrupting his work - which must be creating a great deal of discomfort for him. Look - I don't particularly like Kayne's music (except I work-out to the "Stonger" song), but we are all human and make mistakes. It's sad that someone's mistakes could dominate their Life seemingly forever.

[DeimosGod]

I love Kanye's music, but he comes off looking like a complete jerk in this interview.

[mak6o4]

it's more like an interrogration than an interview.

[1Younghottie]

They announced that he's going to perform the next week. If you were in his (prada) shoes (lol), see if you wouldn't feel the same way or act the same way he did. The only reason you think he's a prick is because the media makes you believe so!

[1Younghottie]

Kanye did nothing wrong. I have no idea why y'all feel that way about him. He acted this way on the interview because the Matt was a dick head. You have to understand where Ye's coming from, consider his feelings and sympathize with him. He's trying to be a good person, but the media broadcasts the "bad kanye". Go on his twitter, and tell me he didn't feel victimized and pressured in this interview. He didn't even want to perform, and he told them that already. But what did they do? They announ

[BigBlaqueKat]

Why would saying Beyonce is better than Taylor be racist? It's true. Just because Taylor is white doesn't make it racist-West never mentioned race. Stop being so damn sensative. I'll tell you what's racist. The fact that such an unattractive no talent like Taylor Swift is even famous to begin with is racist. Only a white girl with so little going on could reach this level of success. As always the black girl (Beyonce) has to be exceptional to do the same.

[ScarlettKnights]

@BigBlaqueKat

What is racist is to say that "the black girl.... has to be exceptional to do the same," as is saying "the fact that such an unattractive no talent like Taylor Swift is even famous to begin with is racist." and "only a white girl with so little going on could reach this level of success" again, RACIST.

The fact is that there are many people in music who truly are no talent ass clowns regardless and inclusive of the spectrum of "race" as you are so fond of saying.

[ScarlettKnights]

@BigBlaqueKat

Beyonce is exceptional and she doesn't have to be "more exceptional" to the the star she is, her voice, beauty and hard work (and the hard work of her family is well) are the reasons she is a superstar.

If you think stardom is race based you are sadly mistaken. Most music fans could give two hoots about race, sex, sexuality, etc.... myself included. What turns me off is when any actor or musician brings politics into the mix, I don't give to bricks about their politics.

[Oneborn]

@ScarlettKnights Completely disagree. Maybe you personally don't see color as an issue. In music it's to the point where some labels won't market a black artist to certain demographics. Race is a part of everything whether you want it to be or not. It is what it is.

[ScarlettKnights]

@Oneborn

I worked in the music business and I can tell you the labels market to demographic where they can make the most money. It's not about race, it is about making a profit.

[ScarlettKnights]

Wow, give him a break. I don't agree with him politically, nor what he did at the music awards, etc. but he seems to be trying to show a more mature attitude and

take some responsibility for his actions. If wiki is accurate, his parents divorced when he was a toddler and he recently lost his Mom, and Dad is a former black panther, now Christian counselor so he has had his share of turmoil.

[briang10304]

West is such an arrogant, self-centered child. His true character comes out more and more during these public interviews.

[shorty18463]

I don't know kanye personally(wish I would) but how can anyone hate him or critize him for not liking Bush. I mean seriously who does?

[rockstar7272]

Wow that could of been the worst "apology" i've ever heard, it sounded more like Kanye was saying "For that specific event Bush wasn't racist at all, but overall he's still kinda sketchy and on my racist-radar". Altho I do agree with Kanye that it seemed really unprofessional to play that clip with Taylor Swift in the midst while he's interviewing, i mean it's one thing to edit it in there after the interviews over, but to audibly be able to hear it while talking would make me upset as well.

[kplayaja]

Kanye is FAR from rational.

[sortedfores]

worst moment in his presidency... that's rich

[profrrm]

tune this before it's pulled

[tihocleo]

What a LOOOOSER!

[draber12]

How is saying someone had a worse music video = racism

Matt Lauer grilled Kanye and lobbed softball after softball to Bush.

[buttonguy76]

why is kanye even famous after all his crap is beyond me...and I wasn't a fan of Bush either.

[cupcakekiekie]

why they bothering kanye!!!