News

Kanye: I Was Robbed!

Justin Timberlake logged a lot of screen time at the MTV Europe Music Awards last Thursday in Copenhagen -- pulling double-duty as the host of the show and the recipient of two big awards (Best Pop Artist and Best Male Artist) -- but he was upstaged by someone who wasn't even supposed to be on the stage: an irate Kanye West.

Kanye won early in the evening for Best Hip Hop Artist, but was so frustrated by failing to win Best Video that he bum-rushed the stage, where the actual winners -- Justice vs. Simian, looking bemused and also a little frightened by the rabid American -- were preparing to say their thanks.

"If I don't win, the award show loses credibility," West said, adding that his video for "Touch the Sky" was the clear winner because it "cost a million dollars, Pamela Anderson was in it, and I was jumping across canyons."

Timberlake, speaking from the winner's circle, was more gracious. "It's nice to pick up the most prestigious award tonight," he said, referring to the Best Pop Artist award. "I'm convinced you guys gave me this because you talked me into hosting the show."

Madonna was another star who had a tough night, finding herself on the receiving end of barbs from British comedian Avid Merrion and Sacha Baron Cohen's ubiquitous Borat, who called her a "singing transvestite."

Other winners included Gnarls Barkley (Best Song), Red Hot Chili Peppers (Best Album), Depeche Mode (Best Group), Christina Aguilera (Best Female), and Rihanna (Best R&B).

Attendees were also treated to live performances by, among others, Muse, Nelly Furtado, Snoop Dogg, The Killers, and Eurovision champions Lordi.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
11.03.06