Rapper Kanye West unveiled his NSFW music video “Famous,” off his latest album, The Life of Pablo, at the Forum in Los Angeles on Friday night (June 24), and it’s all anyone can talk about.
The presentation, which streamed live on Tidal, basically showed just one continuous shot of 12 of pop culture’s biggest figures, naked, lying in bed, covered by a single bed sheet. Which Kanye claimed was inspired by Vincent Desiderio’s 2008 “Sleep” painting.
Naturally, Kanye and wife Kim Kardashian were front and center, but other uncensored (and not real) bodies included Rihanna, Caitlyn Jenner, Chris Brown, Ray J, Amber Rose, Donald Trump, Anna Wintour, George Bush, Bill Cosby and of course, Taylor Swift. It’s pretty impressive how they used CGI and lookalike models because it looks extremely realistic.
Kanye West explained that the video was not to target anyone’s image but simply a comment on fame.
“It’s not in support or anti any of [the people in the video]. It’s a comment on fame.” He also wanted the support from wife Kim. “[I say] a lot of lines other wives would not allow a husband to say. But my wife also puts up photos that other husbands wouldn’t let them put up. One of the keys to happiness in our marriage is we’re allowed to be ourselves.”
Fans were quick to notice that a wax figure resembling the Shake It Off singer was one of the main celebs featured in a racy scene from the video.
As fans flooded social media with messages reacting to the video‚ suggestions were that Kanye might face legal action for the stunt.
He later deleted the tweet‚ but it was captured by fans and shared online.
Meanwhile‚ HollywoodLife reports that Taylor was left “mad as hell” by the stunt and is said to be considering how to respond.
Chris Brown‚ who also had a wax figure look-a-like in the video‚ has responded to Kanye West‚ criticising him for giving his model “plumber’s butt.”
“Why I gotta have the plumber’s butt/ crack showing WAX figure? This nigga KANYE CRAZY‚ talented‚ but crazy‚” he wrote on Instagram.
Rapper French Montana has defended Kanye. ”I feel like he brings, he brings entertainment to the game. I feel the game is boring without Kanye. I feel like we need that sometimes. ”He’s a genius. He’s creative. Sometimes he might go a little overboard, but he’s smarter than his moves, you know.”