Kanye West has made himself a hot-button topic over the past couple of weeks. While the rapper has been a controversial figure in the past, his online and real-life antics have ramped up since the Grammy Awards. After a stunt on the Grammy’s red carpet in which he convinced his wife to show off a very revealing sheer outfit, West has taken to social media to sling hate speech, promote the views of dictators, and even share adult content. His actions left many wondering if he was trying to alienate his few remaining supporters. John Rich, for one, doesn’t see much of a change in West over the years.
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The avid tweeter and country singer/songwriter took to his platform of choice yesterday (February 9) to share his opinion on West. “I remember getting into a tussle with Kanye at the American Music Awards when he sh*t talked Gretchen Wilson for winning an award he thought he should have won,” Rich recalled. “He was a punk then, he’s a punk now. Time to turn off his X account based on what he posted today,” the free speech advocate added.
[RELATED: Kanye West and Wife Bianca Censori Kicked Out of Grammy Awards: Report]
I remember getting into a tussle with Kanye at the American Music Awards when he shit talked Gretchen Wilson for winning an award he thought he should have won. He was a punk then, he's a punk now. Time to turn off his X account based on what he posted today.
— John Rich🇺🇸 (@johnrich) February 9, 2025
The Kanye West Moment John Rich Remembered
Nearly everyone remembers when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Music Awards. Many still hold a grudge against the rapper for soiling the moment for the then-teenaged Swift. However, it wasn’t the first time West had pulled a stunt like that during an awards show.
Five years earlier, during the 2004 American Music Awards, country singer Gretchen Wilson won Favorite Breakthrough Artist, beating West. He didn’t storm the stage after that loss, though. Instead, he exited the venue in a huff. Later, he said he felt like he was “robbed” at the AMAs claiming he was the best new artist of the year.
“I think he’s an ass for acting like that,” Wilson said about West’s tantrum. “He really is. He makes quite a spectacle. Grow up! Quit being such a baby!” she added.
Featured Image by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
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