Kanye West has been known to make outrageous claims about himself and his talent. It’s become part of his charm for many, and for others it’s simply the newest crazy thing in a string of crazy things that the rapper has done. But for one man, West crossed a line when he compared his job as a musician to that of a police officer.
“I’m just giving of my body on the stage and putting my life at risk, literally. That mountain goes really, really high. And if I slipped … You never know. And I think about it. I think about my family and I’m like ‘Wow, this is like being a police officer or something, in war or something,'” West said in a recent interview.
After those words sank in, Police Chief David Oliver sat down to write a letter to West, which might have the best last line ever.
I want to thank you for putting your life on the line for all of us every day. I know that being a rapper is tough work. I have tried to rap, and it is very difficult to keep up with the pulse of the rhyme flow…although when Ice Ice Baby comes on the radio, I can usually keep up with ol’ Vanilla. Anywho, your job is just some very dangerous work. Most people don’t consider… if you rap really fast, without a chance to inhale, you could pass out and hit your head.
That last paragraph was covered in sarcasm. I’m letting you know, just so you do not think I agree with your very ignorant assessment of your career (or any other performer)as it relates to a person in the military or a police officer’s service. You sir, are as misguided as they come. I do have a suggestion for you. Since you are accustomed to danger, from your life as an international rapper, I am strongly encouraging you immediately abandon you career as a super star and join the military. After joining, I would like you to volunteer to be deployed in Afghanistan or one of the numerous other forward locations where our men an women are currently serving. When the Taliban starts shooting at you, perhaps you could stand up and let the words flow. It could be something like “I’m Kanye West, wearing a flak vest.” I’m sure they would just drop weapons and surrender. You could quite possibly end all wars, just from the enemy being star-struck.
Your line of thinking is part of the problem in the world today….which include entertainers thinking they are something more than just entertainers. I know it is supply and demand and the demand for your services is high. I get economics. What I do not get is you EVER comparing what you do for a living to our heroic military members, who are always in harm’s way… and my brother and sister police officers who have to go to work carrying weapons and wearing a bullet-proof vest to protect themselves.
Check yourself, before you wreck yourself….Chief Oliver.
West has rubbed several people the wrong way lately, between a fake interview with the satirical news source The Daily Currant in which he was “quoted” as saying he had already achieved more than Nelson Mandela and that time he kicked a fan out of his concert for asking him to remove his mask. He maintains that he did it for his art, however.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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