newsmakers

newsmakers

Kanye West rolls back diss of Beck, calls Grammys a joke

NEW YORK

Kanye West says he has nothing but respect for Beck. The Grammys? Not so much.

West paid a visit on Ryan Seacrest and his “On Air” radio show Wednesday to expound on his post-Grammy diss of the surprise Album of the Year winner.

The rapper walked up the steps at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as Beck was accepting his award Sunday night but retreated before re-enacting his interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs. During an aftershow on E!, West ranted that Beck should “respect artistry” and turn over his statue to fellow nominee Beyonce.

West told Seacrest of his stair-climbing antics: “It was kind of a joke, like the Grammys themselves.”

And the post-show tirade?

“This is our Super Bowl, you know, and someone’s gotta be mad that Marshawn didn’t get the ball,” he said. Marshawn being Beyonce in this scenario but Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch in actual life.

As for “respecting artistry,” West explained he was upset that Beck didn’t mention other nominees as worthy in the category during his speech.

“Beck is one of the nicest guys and one of the most- respected musicians in the game, so it’s nothing that I would want to do as a fellow musician, to disrespect him in any way,” he said. “That was a miswording on my part.”

Lawyer: Video shows ‘ambush’ of Knight

LOS ANGELES

The lawyer for Marion “Suge” Knight says a video of a confrontation that ended in a fatal hit-and-run appears to show the former rap mogul was ambushed.

Attorney David Kenner says he briefly reviewed the video obtained from a Compton burger stand. The Jan. 29 confrontation left one man dead and another seriously injured.

Kenner said Wednesday that his firm has had only one day with the video but believes it will aid Knight’s defense of murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges. Knight remains in jail and has pleaded not guilty.

The attorney declined to discuss the video in detail.

Details about the video first were reported by celebrity website TMZ.

Associated Press