Is briefly posting a video the new posting a video? Kanye West's "Black Skinhead" video appeared on his website Monday night, but was quickly pulled.
Two weeks after Paula Deen posted and then made private a hastily assembled apology video, West also pulled the look-at-me-don't-look-at-me routine with "Black Skinhead." Thanks to the foreverness of the Internet, the 3-minute, 31-second clip is still available.
UPDATE: West confirmed on Twitter that the posted video was an unfinished, leaked version — and he is not happy about it. Here is what the rapper posted in response:
The BLKKK SKKKN HD video that leaked yesterday was not the official version.
– KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 9, 2013
Me and Nick Knight have been working on this video for 5 months and for creatives it's heartbreaking when something like this happens.
– KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 9, 2013
Me and Nick Knight have been working on this video for 5 months and for creatives it's heartbreaking when something like this happens.
– KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 9, 2013
The final version will be ready within the next week.
– KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 9, 2013
So any website that may have the unapproved / unfinished ruff. I ask you to please take it down.
– KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 9, 2013
Allow me and Nick to give the world what we've been losing sleep over.
– KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 9, 2013
And to who ever leaked the video… FUK YOU!
– KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 9, 2013
The quick-yanking and simplistic nature of the "Black Skinhead" video has sparked online speculation about whether or not it was even finished, which may be part of a clever ploy to make us ask: What will Kanye do next?
Whoops, and we already have our answer: The rapper's website now just shows a large photo of a pair of jeans with the "A.P.C. Kanye" label, announcing his new partnership with the denim designer.
Also read: Kanye West's 'Yeezus' Is No. 1 Album Despite Sales Lower Than Some Projections
The black-and-white video opens on the now-familiar but spooky graphic of ferocious dogs chomping, barking and howling. West has used the same clip in his performances promoting his new albm, "Yeezus."
Soon, an apparent CGI-version of the rapper — shirtless with a chain — is jumping up and down. Then things get weird.
Watch the video. No, don't watch it. No, watch it: