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| Kanye West says Billboard music awards ‘grossly over-censored’ his performance | Kanye West says Billboard music awards ‘grossly over-censored’ his performance |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Kanye West has said he was “grossly over-censored” during his performance at the Billboard music awards. A statement released by the rapper’s publicist reads: “Non-profane lyrics such as ‘with my leather black jeans on’ were muted for over 30-second intervals. As a result, his voice and performance were seriously misrepresented.” | Kanye West has said he was “grossly over-censored” during his performance at the Billboard music awards. A statement released by the rapper’s publicist reads: “Non-profane lyrics such as ‘with my leather black jeans on’ were muted for over 30-second intervals. As a result, his voice and performance were seriously misrepresented.” |
| The rapper had appeared at the awards on 17 May to perform All Day and Black Skinhead, only to be thwarted by ABC censors who cut huge chunks of his material. | The rapper had appeared at the awards on 17 May to perform All Day and Black Skinhead, only to be thwarted by ABC censors who cut huge chunks of his material. |
| Related: Live and indirect: why is live hip-hop so terrible? | |
| West’s statement continues: “It is ridiculous that in 2015, unwarranted censorship is something that artists still have to fight against. Although West was clearly set up to face elements beyond his control during the live broadcast, he would like to apologise to the television audience who were unable to enjoy the performance the way he envisioned.” | West’s statement continues: “It is ridiculous that in 2015, unwarranted censorship is something that artists still have to fight against. Although West was clearly set up to face elements beyond his control during the live broadcast, he would like to apologise to the television audience who were unable to enjoy the performance the way he envisioned.” |
| It wasn’t the only difficulty West had to overcome at the awards. According to some reports, the rapper – who was joined onstage by Allan Kingdom and Theophilus London – was booed at the start and end of his performance. | It wasn’t the only difficulty West had to overcome at the awards. According to some reports, the rapper – who was joined onstage by Allan Kingdom and Theophilus London – was booed at the start and end of his performance. |
| ABC and show producer Dick Clark Productions have not commented on West’s remarks. | ABC and show producer Dick Clark Productions have not commented on West’s remarks. |