Kanye West Releases Controversial ‘Monster’ Video – Watch Now
Tuesday, 07 June 2011
Written by James Conlon
Kanye West, one of the most controversial figures in mainstream rap music, may well have just done it again with the video for his track ‘Monster’. The video comes eight months after the track was officially released, and features West lying in bed with two dead women, holding the head of a woman and rapping behind images of a woman hanging from a noose.
The video also features a long-list of A-name cameos: the likes of Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross all appear in the promo, an early cut of which was ‘leaked’ on the internet back in December last year.
However, Kanye West has now released the promo on his official website Kanyewest.com, which has been taken as an indicator by various protest groups that both he and Universal Music Group authorise the content for public viewing.
Seemingly aware of the likely backlash, the video has been branded with the following opening disclaimer: "The following content is in no way to be interpreted as misogynistic or negative towards any groups of people. It is an art piece and it shall be taken as such."
However (despite the warning), a number of feminist groups have already began petitioning to have the video retracted - an online petition at change.org has already gained almost 6,000 signatures, where protestors have given the following verdict on the video: “Watching this video further desensitizes us to the plight of real women who are used and abused for men's amusement. It feeds a growing appetite for sexual violence, witnessed or committed, that is inevitably acted out on victims of sex trafficking and rape.”
Misogynism or a case of mistaken art? Decide for yourself by watching the video for ‘Monster’ below:
Kanye West UK & Ireland Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu August 4th 2011 - Eastnor Deer Park, Ledbury
Sun August 14th 2011 - Suvilahti, Kaasutehtaankatu 1, Helsinki, Finland
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
