Thursday, 26 June 2008

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Kanye West issues an angry apology

Rapper blames festival organisers for late show

Kanye West says he's been hurt by criticism of his performance

After keeping quiet for over a week, Kanye West unleashed a tirade in response to criticism about his Bonnaroo music festival show that started two hours late in the wee hours.

In a blistering blog post, the rapper blames both festival organizers and the previous act – Pearl Jam – for forcing him to go on stage at 4:25 a.m. on June 15 – two hours behind schedule.

"Bonnaroo should have released a statement in my defense but since they haven't, let's break down the walls on this Truman Show and let you know what really occurred!!!" West, 31, writes.

"I understand if people don't like me because I like me or if people think tight clothes look gay or people say I run my mouth to much, but this Bonnaroo thing is the worst insult I've ever had in my life," he adds.

At the four-day-long music festival in Tennessee, West was scheduled to perform at about 2:30 a.m. But, when Pearl Jam played an hour longer than planned, the crew didn't have enough time to assemble West's elaborate stage.

As the hours passed, fans became impatient, and crowds of people left. Those who stayed threw beer cans, toilet paper, and glow sticks onto the stage while chanting obscenities toward West.

"I'm sorry to everyone that I didn't have the ability to give the performance I wanted to," he says. "I'm sorry."

By Shelley Akers