All Hail the new King of Pop...Kayne West?

Kanye West is a genius.

No, really, he is. With one swipe of the mic, he single-handedly (no pun intended) turned the 2009 VMA's into the Kayne West Show. That's because he knows how to play the game. What game is that, you might wonder? That game is "showbiz." Dress in an open black shirt -- with sagging pants and dark shades -- brandishing a bottle of liquor and swaggering around with a femme fatale dressed in a skin-tight catsuit that goes by the name of "Amber Rose", Kanye West was just screaming "hate me, hate me, please hate me!" to anybody and everybody he came into contact with. You just knew he was in rare form and itching for a fight. He got one. And in the process he pissed off the entire planet. And guess what?

He loves it.

That's because Kayne West knows his brand. He's the "Guy you love to hate." And after lastnight's VMA's, he's hated more than ever. If you're a pro wrestling fan like me you know Kayne West is a major "heel" right now. A "heel" is basically pro wrestling terminology for a bad guy. You know how you determine if a heel is over with the crowd or not? By the level of "heat" or "boo's" that heel receives from the audience. Right now Kayne West is "over" like a mofo. Remember: everybody loves rooting against the villain. And guess what?

Kanye West Is the villain of the moment -- and he loves it.

You know who else loves it? MTV. They live for "stunts" like this. From Michael Jackson's and Lisa Marie Presley's "kiss", to Madonna's and Britney Spears' "kiss," it's show-stopping moments like these MTV craves. It's what makes the VMA's "must-see TV." Without these "controversial moments" you have yourself just another awards show -- which these days are a dime-a-dozen. You know who else loves it?

Taylor Swift.

Blasphemy you say? Stay tuned. Kayne West "stealing" her VMA moment instantly makes her America's newest "Sweetheart." After a few weeks of being plastered on magazines and making the talk show circuit rounds -- The View, Oprah, Larry King -- more people than ever before are going to know just who Taylor Swift is -- not to mention her album sales rocketing through the roof as a result. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if this "stunt" was orchestrated by Kayne West and Taylor Swift themselves. They're both probably working on a duet right now called, "Laughing All the Way to the Bank."

And enough of the "fake" outrage by fellow artists. Kelly Clarkson went on a blog-filled tirad about the dastardly deeds committed by Mr. West that compared him to the evils of the Devil himself! Okay, I made that last part up, but she might as well said it. Even Joe Jackson himself rallied against the tyranny of the Sith Lord known as Kayne West. Yeah, that same Joe Jackson. I think I speak for every human being on the planet when I say "Joe, please go away -- far away. Thank you."

"Fake" or otherwise -- if people want to direct their "outrage", don't waste it directed at Kayne West. He's just playing the game. The game of "showbiz." Direct the "outrage" at the high cost of health care. Direct the "outrage" at our crumbling educational system. Direct the "outrage" at the millions of American's who can't find meaningful employment. There are people who can't even afford a television set to watch the VMA's on MTV. As for Kayne West...there's a rumor after Michael Jackson's death he wanted to be anointed the new King of Pop. Popular Culture is an interwoven fabric we all play a part in.

Popular Culture is us. We are Popular Culture.

Today, September 14, 2009, a day after Kayne West added to his rogue's gallery of selfish acts by stealing the spotlight from a 19-year old Talyor Swift -- the headlines and talk aren't about the multitude of social injustices that plaque our communities...instead the headlines and talk are about one man: Kayne West.

Hell, maybe, just maybe, he Is the new King of...Pop.