Kanye West documentary-maker 'disappointed' by Netflix editing row

The director of Netflix's new Kanye West documentary was left disappointed -- though not surprised -- by the controversial rapper's last-minute demand to recut a movie decades in the making, he told AFP.

Clarence "Coodie" Simmons started following his friend West with a camera in 2001, curious to see how far the ambitious young music producer from Chicago could go, and eventually amassed 320 hours of behind-the-scenes footage of his journey to international stardom.

The first part of seven-hour movie "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" will be released by Netflix on Wednesday, but the famously perfectionist West last month took to Instagram demanding "final edit and approval" on the project, in order to "be in charge of my own image."

"I told Kanye he had to have 100 percent trust in this film ... he said he trusted," said Simmons. 

"So when I seen that Instagram, I was a bit disappointed."

As recently as last week, West -- now known as Ye -- continued to issue demands, such as having fellow rap superstar Drake take over the narration. 

Ironically, Simmons had gone to significant lengths to ensure West was happy, scrapping plans to first release the footage back in 2005 because West "said he wasn't ready for the world to see the real him."

The pair later grew apart and Simmons had little access to West for the next decade or so.

But in a seeming reconciliation, West showed up at a Hollywood screening of the documentary Friday, hugging Simmons and telling the audience that "people try to cancel us and we all run away from each other and scatter or we be not talking to each other, not communicating."

'Put the camera down'

The documentary touches on West's mental health issues, including a bi-polar disorder, which led to him being hospitalized in 2016 and came under renewed spotlight during his bizarre run for the US presidency in 2020.

Filming a meeting two years ago in which West ranted to real estate investors that he had taken bi-polar medication to "have a normal conversation and turn alien into English," Simmons felt concerned enough by his friend and subject's behavior to turn off the camera.

"It was my first time ever capturing Kanye in that light," Simmons, a former comedian and television host, said.

"I just felt like I had to put the camera down so I could listen and be there for him as a brother and not as a director, so that's the reason I put it down.

"It happened a couple other times where I'm like, 'Okay, let me pay attention.'"

At Friday's screening, West said he had made "what y'all might think are mistakes in public" to show the world that limits imposed on Black people are "just a smokescreen."

"We on labels we don't own, play for basketball teams we don't own. The time is now," he said.

'Carefree' Kanye

The controversy surrounding West's demands for creative control over "jeen-yuhs" has undoubtedly drawn more publicity to the documentary.

But Simmons and co-director Chike Ozah hope that showing West's more vulnerable and sometimes embarrassing moments during his rise to greatness will help the world reassess a figure known for frequent arrogant and egocentric outbursts.

For instance, Ozah highlights an early scene at diner chain Denny's, where West is celebrating the removal of wires from his jaw following a serious car crash.

"He's only been taking liquid foods so he's dropped some considerable amounts of weight, he's got a little six pack," recalled Ozah.

"It's a moment you share with Kanye, where he even takes the camera from Coodie and starts filming Coodie, and he just seems so carefree and so happy.

"That's a moment that you just cherish, to see him in that space."

So, after all these years, is West now ready for the world to see the real him?

"It's not really about him being ready ... I would hope that he will see this film," said Simmons.

"The world needs to see this," he added. "It's not about me and Kanye."

Agence France-Presse

Police study DNA from Kim Kardashian robbery scene

PARIS, France — French investigators are studying several DNA samples found in the Paris apartment where Kim Kardashian was tied up and robbed at gunpoint of $10 million in jewels, sources close to the inquiry said Tuesday.

“These DNA samples are currently being analyzed,” one of the sources told AFP.

However, no DNA has been recovered from Kardashian’s diamond pendant that was found in the street by a passerby near her luxury residence just hours after the crime, the sources said.

The multi-millionaire US reality TV star, who was in the French capital for Paris fashion week, was robbed on October 3 by five men posing as police officers.

Kardashian was tied up and locked in the bathroom while the robbers helped themselves to a ring worth around four million euros ($4.5 million) and a case of jewelery with a value of five million euros ($5.6 million).

Two mobile phones were also stolen during the hold up in the chic Madeleine district of Paris, near the city’s main department stores.

The mother of two and wife of rap superstar Kanye West flew home to the US after being questioned by police over the incident, which a spokeswoman said had left her “badly shaken”.

Kardashian has been a fixture of US celebrity news for more than a decade, known mainly for the TV show “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” and a leaked sex tape. CBB

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Kanye West rambles onstage at MTV VMAs, Calvin Harris wins

NEW YORK, United States—In typical and true Kanye West fashion, the rapper ranted at the MTV Video Music Awards, touching on subjects from music to his beef with Taylor Swift to violence in his hometown Chicago.

Before he debuted his music video for “Fade” on Sunday, West rambled onstage as the audience at Madison Square Garden in New York City cheered him on.

“Now later tonight ‘Famous’ might lose to Beyonce but I can’t be mad, I’m always wishing for Beyonce to win,” said West, who will compete with Beyonce for video of the year, and also referring to the 2009 VMAs when he jumped onstage, stole Swift’s microphone and said Beyonce should have won over the then-country singer.

He talked about his “Famous” video, which features what appears to be naked images of West, Swift, Kim Kardashian, Donald Trump and more. He even pointed to former girlfriend Amber Rose, who was in the audience and is also in the video.

“It was an expression of our now, our fame right now, us on the inside of the TV, you know, the audacity to put Anna Wintour right next to Donald Trump,” he said.

“I put Ray J in it bro,” he said, referring to Kardashian’s ex with whom she did a sex tape.

“But if you think about last week it was 22 people murdered in Chicago,” he continued. “You know, people come up to me like, ‘Man, that’s right! Take, tell Taylor this. Bro, like I love all y’all.”

“That’s why I called her,” he said with a laugh.

West could have another memorable moment Sunday if he wins video of the year later in the show. Aside from Beyonce’s “Formation,” his competition includes Justin Bieber’s “Sorry,” Drake’s “Hotline Bling” and Adele’s “Hello.”

But Beyonce could own the night, too, when she performs. The top nominee with 11 was angel-winged and green-feathered with daughter Blue Ivy in tow, she arrived on the white carpet along with Sybrina Fulton, Lezley McSpadden and Gwen Carr, the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, among others. They appeared in videos for Beyonce’s “Lemonade” visual album and also make up the Mothers of the Movement, women of color who lost children to violence.

Rihanna kicked off the show, performing a medley of her hit songs in a bright pink ensemble that matched her background dancers and the stage. She sang songs like “We Found Love” and “Where Have You Been”—sometimes letting the backing track do most of the work. She sang “Work” and other songs during a second performance, and will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award.

Ariana Grande brought spin class to the VMA stage when she sang the reggae-tinged “Side to Side” with Nick Minaj. Grande cycled while singing and was backed by female dancers imitating her. Male dancers lifted dumbbells and did other exercises, and at the end of their performance, Grande and Minaj put their male dancers’ faces in front their crotches.

Michael Phelps said he’s been inspired by hip-hop music before introducing Future, who Phelps said he listened to before swimming. The rapper-singer-producer performed his hit “(Expletive) Up Some Commas.”

Drake won the first award for the night—best hip hop video for “Hotline Bling.” Puff Daddy, who presented the award, said Drake was stuck in traffic. Calvin Harris won best male video—beating West’s “Famous”—for “This is What You Came For,” which featured Rihanna and was co-written with former girlfriend Swift. Harris accepted the award in a video message.

Britney Spears, Nick Jonas and The Chainsmokers are set to perform. Nominees for best female video include Beyonce, Adele, Rihanna, Sia and Grande.

Coldplay, Desiigner, Fergie and Alessia Cara earned multiple nominations, while David Bowie—who died from cancer earlier this year—is nominated for best direction, cinematography, art direction and editing for “Lazarus.” The music video, which shows him looking frail in bed with bandaged eyes, was released just days before the icon’s Jan. 10 death.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

KimYe Moves Out of Kris Jenners’ Home, Finally Settle in $11M Mansion

When you are really invested in creating a good life for your family, you’ve got to make some big decisions. For Kanye and Kim, it’s recently about the need to finally leave Kris Jenner’s abode and move into their $11-million mansion.

The move comes after months of waiting on the completion of the renovations in the Bel-Air property. “When we bought our Bel-Air house, we didn’t have a baby, we weren’t even  pregnant. After you have a baby, you realize that you need so many other  things and a different kind of space. So being in the city is a different life. We wanted to be away and have more privacy,” says Kim about the house when they first acquired it.

And now that Saint West has joined in the picture, we’re sure that the Wests will find space and privacy in a home that boasts of 900 square feet and includes a hair and makeup salon (You need a place for Kim’s glam team, right?), gym, two pools, a bowling alley, and a movie theather.

The house is Kim and Kanye’s first of two houses in California as they also purchased another estate in Hidden Hills. With a price tag of $20 million, the house is much closer to Kris’ home but is also still undergoing some renovations. That mansion, on the other hand, has two spas, two swimming pools, and a vineyard along with large custom wardrobe rooms. Maybe something to live in if ever the Wests decide to have a third child?

People]

Photos courtesy of Zillow

source: preen.inquirer.net

Kanye’s lyrics about Taylor Swift ignite new controversy

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Kanye West’s new album, “The Life Of Pablo,” has ignited a new controversy between the rapper and pop superstar Taylor Swift.

West debuted his album at the Yeezy Season 3 fashion show at Madison Square Garden in New York on Thursday. The album included a song called, “Famous,” in which he called the “Bad Blood” singer a “b—-” and said he made her famous.

On his Twitter account, he said the lyric was not an insult. “I did not diss Taylor Swift and I’ve never dissed her,” he wrote.

“I called Taylor and had a hour long convo with her about the line and she thought it was funny and gave her blessings,” he wrote.

Tree Paine, Swift’s publicist, said in a statement that West did not ask Swift for approval.

“Kanye did not call for approval, but to ask Taylor to release his single ‘Famous’ on her Twitter account,” the statement said. “She declined and cautioned him about releasing a song with such a strong misogynistic message. Taylor was never made aware of the actual lyric.”

West defended his use of the word “b—-,” saying it was an endearing term in hip hop.

Meanwhile, Swift’s friends have come to her defense on social media. Taylor Swift’s brother, Austin, posted an Instagram video of him throwing Yeezy shoes in a trashcan.

West famously interrupted Swift’s speech during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when she won for best female video. But the two apparently put differences aside and she introduced him when he won the video vanguard award at the 2015 VMAs.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Top Grammy moments: Matador Madonna, Dancing Sir Paul and Kanye

 

LOS ANGELES - Step aside winners. The Grammy Awards have long belonged to performers and unexpected moments—and Sunday's show was no different with Kanye West rushing the stage, Pharrell Williams' orchestral bash and a poignant plea to end domestic violence.

 

Kanye, Again

 

West, in perhaps a tongue-in-cheek gag on his infamous outburst rushing the stage in protest at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, approached album of the year winner Beck on stage before flashing a quick grin, waving his hand and retreating.

 

"That's what's great about live television," said Neil Portnow, the president of the Recording Academy.

 

"Whatever happens is part of the culture of the people in the room," he added.

 

Fifty Shades of Madonna

 

In the night when the music industry crowned British soul singer Sam Smith with a leading four Grammys, including song and record of the year, viewers at home were treated early on to Madonna's burlesque homage to bullfighting.

 

Pop music's 56-year-old grand dame of scandalizing spectacle, performed her new song "Living for Love" in red and black lingerie with 20 dancers wearing bulls' horns and rhinestone-covered faces twirling the singer about. She was later joined by a choir of more than two dozen singers.

 

Dancing #SirPaul

 

Paul McCartney—who later performed "FourFiveSeconds" with West and Rihanna—gave the audience a light moment on a mostly somber night by dancing alone in the audience to ELO's Jeff Lynne playing the 1975 hit "Evil Woman."

 

With the camera up close, the former Beatle stopped, looked around and sat down with a sheepish smile, drawing laughter and sending "Sir Paul" trending on Twitter.

 

It’s on us

 

The show took a serious turn half-way through with President Barack Obama delivering a taped address urging the audience and TV viewers to help stop domestic violence, through the ItsOnUs.org campaign.

 

Then Brooke Axtell, a survivor of domestic abuse, took the stage urging victims of abuse to seek help and telling her own story about how her ex-boyfriend had threatened to kill her. Katy Perry finished the segment with the inspirational anthem "By the Grace of God."

 

Civil Rights

 

Williams, dressed as a hotel bellboy in shorts, found a way to recast his uptempo international smash "Happy" as a soaring orchestral song with Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang, film composer Hans Zimmer on guitar and a choir of 20.

 

But the singer-producer's allusions to the protest chant "hands up, don't shoot" and hooded sweatshirts about the killings of unarmed black teens cast the shadow of civil rights, the predominant theme at the show's close.

 

Prince introduced the album of the year award saying "black lives matter."

 

The evening ended with Beyonce singing the Civil Rights-era spiritual, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," and John Legend and rapper Common sang their Oscar-nominated song "Glory" from the soundtrack to the Martin Luther King Jr. biopic "Selma."—Reuters

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West tie the knot in Italy

Television personality Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West celebrated their wedding on Saturday (May 24) in a castle overlooking the historic city of Florence.

According to city authorities the couple had hired the Belvedere Fort for the night for €300,000 ($408,900) and the event was overseen by a Protestant pastor. As the castle is not normally authorised to hold weddings, it is unclear whether the event will count as a legal marriage ceremony, however.

Few other details leaked out ahead of the lavish festivities. A private security firm kept curious fans, paparazzi and television cameras from getting too close to the site, a Renaissance stronghold with high sloping walls that have been boosted by specially erected privacy screens.

West, 36, a rapper, entrepreneur and self-declared romantic, proposed to 33-year-old reality TV star Kardashian in an empty baseball stadium with a specially hired orchestra, the event shown during an episode of the TV show "Keeping up with the Kardashians."

According to the local La Nazione newspaper, suppliers have been threatened with a $5 million penalty if they reveal details of the event and guests were asked to hand in their mobile phones to stop anyone taking "selfies" or other pictures.

Residents in the San Nicola area of Florence have received letters warning them that the music will be booming out until midnight.

Vanessa Beecroft, an Italian-born artist and friend of West, whose performance art pieces regularly feature groups of nude female models, has set up a show within the fort and has promised to leave one of her works to the city of Florence.

How much the final bill will come to is a closely guarded secret but if past celebrity practice is any guide, the couple may be able to cover some of the expense by showing the wedding on television or selling exclusive coverage rights. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com