Kanye West says he won't 'detract' from NFL kickoff concert

[sabra]

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050906/APN/509061223&cachetime=3&template=dateline

Kanye West says he won't 'detract' from NFL kickoff concert

In his first public appearance since saying "George Bush doesn't care about black people" during an NBC telethon for Hurricane Katrina survivors, rapper Kanye West said he would stick to entertainment at this week's NFL opening kickoff concert.

"I don't want to detract from the show at all, because it's entertainment, and a lot of times, in a time of need, we need entertainment to lift people's spirits," West said Tuesday at a news conference to promote Thursday's free concert at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

West was joined by Maroon 5's Adam Levine, Good Charlotte's Benji and Joel Madden, and NFL alumni players Willie Davis, Eric Dickerson and Jack Youngblood. Good Charlotte, Maroon 5 and singer Rihanna will also perform with West at Thursday's concert.

...

"The great thing about our country is we all get to say what we feel and believe. Whether you agree with him, or whether I agree with him or not, he has the right to say what he thinks," Madden said.

[Kagemusha]

1. No way the NFL lets this man perform. No way in hell.

This is exactly the kind of situation the NFL has sworn to avoid since Nipplegate. Why would the NFL tolerate even the faint hint of risk? That's not what they said they'd do. That's not what they think the FCC is going to tolerate.

[daleo]

2. Well, over half the NFL roster is African American

So, censoring this man could be tricky for the NFL, from that point of view.

[alarimer]

3. I guess football is way more important than telling the truth

All musicians need to be screaming the truth whenever they can. Fuck the NFL. Heaven forbid Americans sitting on their fat asses watching a stupid game or concert be bothered with the real world.

[Sven77]

4. it will be interesting to see the reaction

if the nfl lets him, im glad he didnt stick with the script.

[SKKY]

5. I have to admit, Madden surprises me sometimes...