MTV wants peace with Kanye West

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Washington (ANI): MTV has responded to Kanye West"s intense criticism about his treatment at the Video Music Awards by extending an olive branch to him. Instead of addressing the rapper"s specific complaints, the network reacted by extolling him and even extending an invitation to work together again."MTV has a long and collaborative relationship with Kanye and we hope and look forward to continuing that meaningful relationship," People quoted MTV's statement, as saying.

A day after the MTV Video Music Awards held in Las Vegas, West told New York radio station Z100"s JJ, on Sep 10 that he felt misled and "betrayed" by the network, and has pledged to never work with MTV again. According to sources, West was upset with the way performances were set up and started complaining that he should have performed on the main stage and not from a private suite where many artists performed for small groups of fans throughout the telecast.

The rapper also blamed MTV for exploiting and ruining Britney Spears" career. But MTV's statement didn't attend to West"s concerns and instead, complimented the rapper. "Kanye West is a visionary performer and he didn't let his fans down at this year's VMA's. From his incredible renditions of "Stronger" and "The Good Life," to the spectacular aerial shots from his multi-level suite which made for one of the grandest visuals of the night, the audience feedback on MTV.com has been overwhelming," the statement said.

However, a source close to the production said that West in fact asked to perform in the suite because he wanted a more energetic setting. The source added that the act, actually pre-taped two days in advance, even got a go-ahead from West, who viewed it with MTV executives before it aired.