BUT the thrill of the night revolved around 2 performances - Taylor Swift and Kanye West.
After Kanye's infamous interruption of the young country singer's acceptance speech at the 2009 VMAs, Kanye found himself excommunicated from the music industry. He lost fans, the support of the media, and was cast out as the industry leper. Well, 2010 has marked Kanye's triumphant return, with songs like "Power" and the hugely popular remix. Taylor Swift, still high off of last year's success and influx of support, has had a tamer but profitable year leading up to the awards. Combine this with Kanye's recent public apology to Taylor on twitter just a few weeks ago, we all thought that any beef between the two stars had long been pushed to the past...we were wrong. or were we?
Taylor Swift chose to perform a "tongue-in-cheek" song called "Innocent," written about the 32 y.o. rapper, in which she reprises her role as the victim of last year's "tragedy," but goes on to assure Kanye that she's forgiven him, understands he's bigger than his mistakes, and is still innocent in her eyes.
Lyrically and melodically I thought Taylor's song was very impressive and heartfelt. The only issue I had came with the intro video leading up to the performance which depicted Kanye as a loose cannon and Taylor as a simple, sweet girl whose accomplishment was spat on. (Oh wait, that's what happened...) Even so, revisiting that event was the last thing anyone wanted to do and for me it came across as unnecessary and tactless. The situation wasn't that black and white and also revolved around an MTV VMA award...not a Grammy, or a life...an MTV award. Not that serious in the grand scheme of things.
Ultimately, it appeared she was using that "tragic" event to stay relevant in 2010, a quiet year for her, and appeal for sympathetic support. She did, however, paint a vivid and successful picture by singing barefoot with just a simple dress and dark makeup. I briefly felt a little sad for her again...
Do you think her performance was too much? Warranted? Necessary? Artistic? Overly dramatic?
No matter, Kanye answered back with the strength of an army in his show-ending performance. Visually impeccable with a bright red suit, white background, ballet dancers and one simple beat machine on stage, Kanye made us remember (for those who forgot) exactly why he IS a star and creative master. Embracing a new mantra of humility and growth, Kanye indirectly rebuked himself as the douche bag, asshole, and jerk-off that Taylor had referenced as innocent.
While Taylor had depicted the rapper as a lost soul whom she would coddle with her words of forgiveness, Kanye offered a contrasting portrait of a man taking his power back, maturing on his own, aware of his imperfections, and one who is genuinely good.
So, who won the battle? Was it a battle at all?
The only thing certain is that at the end of the night, the very crowd that had booed him last year, now found itself chanting "KANYE, KANYE, KANYE!"
Remember: Power is to be used wisely.
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