Kanye West premiered over the weekend what was supposed to be the cover art of his upcoming “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” — that is until Def Jam allegedly pumped the breaks on it.
“Yoooo they banned my album cover!!!!! Ima tweet it in a few…” ‘Ye tweeted over on Sunday (Oct. 17) shortly before revealing the provocative illustration of a nude, demonic-looking West laying on a blue couch and gripping a green bottle while a naked winged woman with an equally evil grimmace and a polka dot tail straddles him.
“Banned in the USA!!! They don’t want me chilling on the couch with my phoenix!” he said shortly after about the George Condo-created image, followed by a couple of other tweets in reference to it, including: “I know that cover just blew yall minds … I wish yall could see how hard I’m smiling right now!!!” and “In all honesty … I really don’t be thinking about Wal-Mart when I make my music or album covers.
“I wanna sell albums but not at the expense of my true creativity,” he added. “So Nirvana can have a naked human being on they cover but I can’t have a PAINTING of a monster with no arms and a polka dot tail and wings.”
Meanwhile, a rep at Def Jam spoke to the Los Angeles Times yesterday (Oct. 17) and stated that West’s cover wasn’t exactly banned by the label, but that he was “strongly urged to use alternate art” and that West “was told if he wanted to do it, the label would stand behind him.” I’m just glad it’s not another Shyne/Def Jam rant/situation. Keep it, er, classy, ‘Ye.
In related news, Kanye is slated to premiere his short film, “Runaway,” in Los Angeles and New York this week. The video will also have its worldwide television debut on MTV and BET on Oct. 23.
“MY Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” arrives on Nov. 22 — same day as Nicki’s. It’s going to be a good Thanksgiving.
What do you think of the cover art? Yey or ney? Leave your comments below.