Jay-Z covers the February issue of Interview, which includes a wide-ranging interview with noted film critic Elvis Mitchell on everything from influences, longevity in the industry, the price of fame and even the Kanye West-Taylor Swift VMA incident:
I just think the timing of what he did was wrong, and that, of course, overshadowed everything. He believed that “Single Ladies” [by Jay-Z’s wife, Beyoncé] was a better video. I believed that. I think a lot of people believed that. You can’t give someone Video of the Year if they don’t win Best Female Video. I thought Best Female Video was something you won on the way to Video of the Year. But, hey, I guess it wasn’t—and that’s a whole other conversation about awards shows and artists.
And then, back to the original point, his passion kicks in and he takes things too far . . . He doesn’t realize that that girl, Taylor Swift, is just like him. That was her moment. It wasn’t her fault. She didn’t do anything. It’s not her awards show. So he just did the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time.
Well put,
Jayz’s a weirdo
the stans are gonna go crazy after reading this post
anyway i agree with jay but what he needs to understand is that WHITE PEOPLE watch mtv and WHITE PEOPLE vote for thier favourite video taylor swift has no talent at all but WHITE PEOPLE love her and thats why she won
He is so smooth! Don’t we all LoVe Jay-z
@1 exactly what i was thinking.. well said
DAmn skippy ..it doesnt take rocket science to kno how do u win Best Video out of allll videos of the year..and Not win best Female Video of the Year and youre a femalE? This was alwways my point all along
VMA just wanted to award white girl with her award to be PC …knowing Beyonce’s video was better..
i use to hate Jay Z because of the whole “illuminati” thing
but he’s to smooth and so fucking cool that he almost can get away with it (if he is a part of that, i doubt it though)
jay-z is a cool dude i must admit
I agree with Jay Z. it was done at the wrong time, to the wrong person. I do agree that Beyonce’s Video shouldve won Best Female but hey she got the biggest award of the night so I respect that as well.
Single Ladies was a movement
Well said Jay. However in commenting to ppl about how you win Vid of the Year, but not a lesser category you have to understand ppl for for the VMAs, and different vids are in each category, meaning Taylor was not up for Vid of the year. There was a completely different lineup. MTV shud never have started letting ppl vote for the awards.
‘He did the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time”
lol is he talking about Amber? 0,0
the award show coordinators probably wanted to “spice it up” a little bit. I bet people just knnnnnnneewwww beyonce was gonna win that award *kanye shrug* Gotta keep em guessing.
IT HELPED THAT GIRL’S CAREER FOR SURE SO EVERYONE NEEDS TO MOVE ON & LEAVE KANYE ALONE!
LOVE JAY THOUGH. THAT IS MY DUDE RIGHT THERE. I’M SO SICK OF HEARING ABOUT THE ILLUMINATI STUFF. SOMEONE STARTS A RUMOR AND IT JUST SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE. PEOPLE ARE QUICK TO BELIEVE ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT A PERSON.
…………..My thoughts exactly Jay-Z…
They are idiots. How are you going to talk about respect and then dis-respect a legend. Herbie Hancock is a legen. When he was in his diapers running around in the projects this man had toured the world 10 times over. This is why rap is not selling people are just tired of the blatant arrogance and iginarance and thinking the world didnt’ exist before rap music came about. Go and actually compose your own music and stop stealing beats. Because that is what Mr. Hancock does.
Well put. Ride both sides J.
I agree with his statement, but he’s still excusing Kanye.
He just about summed it up !
Tell it Jay.
@9 taylor wasn’t up for best female vid? that’s odd. i bet there was a reason for it, like an agenda
He is right! He’s not excusing Kanye, he’s saying he understands, but it was a wrong way of expressing it.
Also, can we stop talking about him and this illuminati association? He cleared that up in a recent interview as well. He said he thinks being part of a cult is stupid. They just released that interview in last couple of days.
Anyways, I Love Jay! I would love to have a guy with his swag!!
although it has been stated several times already, everything was well said, however i am so over the whole taylor swift kanye west thing now..and unlike #7, i believe he is in fact part of the illuminati..and as far as his whole swag thing (so sick of that word by the way) is forced..idk just my opinion..
Ok, both Jay Z and Kanye need to grow up. This is a nineteen year old kid and she didn’t vote for herself, the public voted for her. Jay Z, Kanye and airhead Beyonce really need to get over themselves. I guess having millions in your bank account gives you a free pass to act like ungrateful azzholes.
OMG!!!!! i love this man….
@ 3 Thats not true at all. Michael Jackson’s video was the first video to make MTV what it is today. I think its safe to say that MTV is for everyone just like BET isnt just for black people, its not even a color issue. Kayne West was wrong for what he said and instead of playing the race card people should just recgonize that and move on. Also, if you say Taylor Swift has no talent that may be your opinion but she came out with 2 albums in 2009 and outsold beyonce…so yeah i think she’s pretty talented.
People who believe that Jay-z, Beyonce, and Kanye are apart of this underground devli worshipping cult truly proves that ppl will believe ANYTHING if it is said enough times.
@22 – totally agree
not about race, both beyonce and taylor are extremely talented and i like them both. Swift racked up in awards this awards season.
i agree with # 22. clearly, jay is saying that the only reason people are upset is because taylor is white. she got the award. period. everything doesn’t have to go to beyonce. she is not the only one that’s good. kanye was an ass for that. period.
Kanye is just stupid… Jay Z didn’t even have to try to explain/understand what he did.. he is a grown man with a childlike temperament.
Jay Z makes me want to spit… yuck
Again the Single LAdies video was taken from the 70′s video Mexican Breakfast so what is these commesnts saying Single Ladies video was a movement? It was taken! Not even orginial! Smh
Jay speaking nothing but the truth here. We all know Kanye is a passionate dude especially when it comes to his music. Anyone remember when he was getting punk’d? LOL. And there are countless other times Kanye has showed his love for musio, I mean dude takes it to the next level, but I love seeing him put his all into his work.
I agree with Kanye’s opinion, Beyonce should have DEFINITELY won that video, but it was wrong the way in which he voice it.I still remember watching it wondering if it was all real or staged LMAO.
I agree with Jay 100% !!!!
And what exactly did Jay-Z do when Kanye was parading around the award show with a bottle of hennesey in the one hand and his personal dildo in the other.
Jay-Z, Beyonce and Amber Rose are responsible for Kanye’s action. I’m not excluding that the responsibility is also shared by Kanye, but when you see a fool walking around with hard liquor who happens to be your protege, you do something!
I guess with age doesn’t come wisdom.
—–Lol, this negro is so hilarious. Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy have nothing on him.
—–He knows exactly what that was about. “Tail-her Swift” was going through
—–a ritual & Kanye was a willing prop to both escalate her and Beyonce’s fame
—–simultaneously, by playing the simpleton. He will disappear for months and then
—–”come back” stronger than ever. He tells listeners of this premise in his song
—–”Stronger”. The artists and the record companies understand energy and how it
—–is transferred, never lost. In regards to Beyonce and Taylor Swift, they appeared
—–in all red together at the end of the awards (no one questioned this lol) in salute
—–to the “lady in red” theme i.e. the goddess Venus, in order to enforce their OZ
—–programming.
I agree with Jay-Z and the main points that he made about Kanye
He’s missing the point. It doesn’t matter what he thinks, or what Kanye thinks, or if Kanye was telling the truth or not. That’s just their opinions, and they have ZERO right to disrespect another artist just because they have a different opinion. Kanye never should have been on that stage, period.
You know….
I’m so sick of people like Jay-Z excusing people like Kanye West.
To say Beyonce’s video was “the best” is a very subjective thing and MTV did not agree and they gave the award to Taylor Swift. When Kanye came on that stage and acted like a JERK he crossed the line. Point Blank Period and MANY people let Kanye know that. Beyonce can’t win everything and she clearly did not win that award. And for whatever reason she was gracious enough to let Taylor know that what Kanye did was WRONG.
I can accept Jay-Z supporting his wife but making excuses for Kanye is not cool and Most people don’t excuse bad behavior against a very young and talented ARTIST like Taylor Swift.
While it may be that Ye is full of passion for his work, that night his ass was full of Henn. Jay needs to stop making excuses for him. I would have been offended if Bey received the award, there’s no content to it just two girls and a dude “shakin it”. SMDH that shouldn’t be what our music culture is about. Why reward it.
Well I would have liked him to be this detailed when he was asked about his involvement in the occult/ Illuminati during his radio interview with Angie Martinez. He was so vague and short with that.
Jayz, next time you pose for the camera, turn around!
judah what do you mean “tail-her swift” ?
So just because she Video of the Year meant she should have also won Best Female video…..Dumb
If that was the case then whoever won Best Male Video should have won Video of the Year too.
Or the way he’s putting it, Taylor Swift should have won Video of the Year.
And to the person who said Taylor Swift isn’t talented. How do you know? You don’t listen to her. She’s a great singer/songwriter/musician, who outsold everybody. Don’t downplay or disrespect somebody just because you’re not a fan of theirs.
why wasn’t he this detailed on the radio interview about the occult?
What exactly does Concreteloop mean by moderation and why is my comment awaiting it? Seriously
@ NYLA
well Im glad Im not the only one LOL I have 2 comments waitn for moderation WTH??
For the first and last time in my life I would have to agree with Jay Z about the award. I am no Beyonce fan, I like a couple of songs but she’s overrated (different subject) … You cant win one award without the other, its almost like MTV didnt want to choose.
Again the Single LAdies video was taken from the 70’s video Mexican Breakfast so what is these commesnts saying Single Ladies video was a movement? It was taken! Not even orginial! Smh
————————————————————————————————————————-
You are absolutely right about this being a stolen concept. How people quickly forget that this video wasn’t even originated from Beyonce. I think the only thing Beyonce can really take credit for originality on is “Bootylicious”. That’s it.
@ Judah
You need to get some therapy and got back to high school and learn how to spell and you also need to stop hogging that computer in Jail.
The things you type are so filled with ignorance and self hate it amazes me that you try so hard to come off as “knowledgeable”. But then again what you type is complete gibberish. Even if what you typed was 100% true where does that leave you??? Do you think Jay-Z cares what you think about how he lives? More than half the people in this room don’t even care what you think. It’s so interesting that you seek to “kick” knowledge on an Entertainment Blog. What is it too cold to yell at people on the street corner today? I understand “JUDAH”.
Taylor Swift is a very talented artist and trust me she also does not care what you think. You are so jealous of successful people that it permeates your every sentence.
Jay would be amused that everything he does you find a need to “TYPE” about it in a negative way so you can feel good about yourself or your “lifestyle”.
Yet when your done typing your still BROKE, BITTER and UNHAPPY.
But it’s telling that there are others in this room that share your self hate and that gives you hope to continue with your posting. So on that level it’s encouraging that you have something to live for……LMAO
shut the fuck up jay…. u know bey daddy didnt pay for her that night …. is that why you walked out on her and spent the evening with rhi rhi ….. kanye been a asshole and you know it …… y speak up now ……. lol
—–@Youngin
—–She’s MK-ULTRA and that is most probably not her real name. Many of these
—–names are pseudonyms. This is why so many of them are stalked by the
—–paparazzi. Provisions must be made to insure that these “celebrities” stay in line
—–with their programming. When they don’t they must be sent to “rehab”. For
—–example “Danger” from the Ray-J show recently had her child taken from her and
—–she was put into an insane asylum by the authorities for threatening to out some
—–of the more unseemly aspects and characters of Hollywood and expose Ray-J as
—–a h*mosexual. Courtney Love also had her children taken from her for stating that
—–Britney Spears and Linsey Lohan were sexually abused as children and that they
—–are under mind control.
—–@Taylor Swift
—–You must either be a caveperson or a rather pathetic n*gger to name yourself
—–after a white woman. Either way, carry on lmao. Are you a bigger fan of Tail-her
—–Swift or me?
I agree with #22, it has nothing to do with race. I take it that alot of you are or were unaware that the Best Female video category was open to the fans to vote for. Meaning that Taylor Swifts fans got her that award. That’s not Taylor Swifts fault. If Beyonce fans had voted enough in that category then she would have won. I voted for Britney in that category but she obviously didn’t win that one. It was open for the fans to vote, so who ever got the most votes deserved to win and that was Taylor Swift. She deserved that award.
And as for Jay saying that the Video of The Year artist should win Best female video. In that case Beyonce wouldn’t have won her first solo VMA in 2003 for Crazy In Love, Missy Elliot would have won for Work It.
But I get it, that’s his wife. He’d be wrong not to say something like that.
The Single Ladies video is trash. The only way Beyonce knows how to sell herself is using sex at least Taylor Swift carries herself with a little dignity and Kanye is a jackass.
Oh Jay which American-hating dictator’s family will you and your wife be performing for this New Year’s Eve?
jaded
Friday, January 15, 2010 /
the stans are gonna go crazy after reading this post
anyway i agree with jay but what he needs to understand is that WHITE PEOPLE watch mtv and WHITE PEOPLE vote for thier favourite video taylor swift has no talent at all but WHITE PEOPLE love her and thats why she won
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Those same WHITE people voted for Beyonce and buys her music in addition to Jay Z’ s music just like BLACK people so WTF are you talking about??????And I guess no BLACK people voted for Taylor at all huh???? You are an ignorant MOFO!
thanks judah thats interesting take care brother
WHATEVER….
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Judah
A Cave Person?????
LMAO
It’s funny you wrote hateful things about the people of Haiti now you are calling white people “cave people”.
Just as I though. You hate YOURSELF very much and you simply act out emotionally out of frustration and inadequacy…..
NEXT.
Taylor is very talented and MTV gave her that award. Jay is off base by saying that there are rules to winning awards…category by category. That does not happen in the Oscars and it sure does not happen with MTV Awards. These people are really sounding stupid. This happens to artists all the time….meaning they don’t win awards they may “THINK” they deserve. It’s funny…..you normally don’t see those people storming the stage or attacking younger artists in magazines like spoiled entitled children and they are almost twice the age of Taylor Swift.
Taylor won the award that MTV wanted to give her in the category they wanted. Beyonce is fine with it. Jay seems to have an issue as did Kanye and guess what?? They need to get over it.
Beyonce showed she can be gracious it’s a lesson that Jay-Z and Kanye can also benefit from.
—–@Taylor Swift
—–Lmao, and what else did I say? Refer back to your notes.
Somebody going hard for Taylor Swift…. lol
CALI
The MTV Award that Taylor won was not voted on by the Public. But by MTV STAFF.
The SAME STAFF that voted for Beyonce to win the awards she won.
And like another person said. White people support Beyonce that is why she is such a huge star so stop trying to make this racial. Jay-Z does not have issues with Whites he counts many of them as his friends.
This is about people being gracious and mature.
AGAIN Beyonce showed great form and said it the best. “Taylor deserved her moment” and to not to have that spoiled by a grown man who had nothing to do with the Award process. PERIOD!
Staged Staged Staged….. Beyonce can barely put a setence together, let along give a speech right on the spot for Taylor.
oops sentence
II do believe that MTV has its double-standards when it comes to supporting and promoting Black artists, but in all honesty I think Taylor Swift winning the award for “Best Female Video” was due to the fact that two big names in pop (Beyonce and Lady Gaga) split the majority votes which left room for Taylor Swift to dominate the category. She is a part of a market, which is country, that is an untapped genre of music for Beyonce and Gaga, and also making a huge transition into pop as well. I think her success is due to her consumer base because young suburban kids are the ones ACTUALLY BUYING RECORDS. She has an appeal to her regardless of how she sounds. (We all know talent is not needed to be successful anymore) She has the “IT” factor and the fact Kanye made the outburst during the awards, helped her career take off even more. I hate the backlash he received, but it’s time for Kanye to be more considerate with his outbursts especially if it’s at the expense of others regardless of their race. It’s one thing to be opinionated and passionate but it should always be kept within reason.