Kanye West-Bad PR?

For the first time, a country singer won "Best Female Video"at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. As Taylor Swift gave her acceptance speech, hip-hop artist Kanye West took the microphone from the seventeen year old star and announced to the audience that "Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!". As I watched the awards live on television, at first I thought it was all a joke. However, the reaction from the audience and the look on Beyonce's face made me quickly realize that this was no joke! Shocked and embarrassed, Taylor did not finish her speech and walked off the stage. To Kanye's satisfaction, Beyonce did win the VMA for "Video of the Year" and let Taylor come back out and give her acceptance speech in her place.
Within minutes of the incidence, the Internet was flooded with YouTube videos and blogs about Kanye West. Although there were some devout fans who still took up for the artist, most people referred to him as "racist, rude, inconciderate" and several other demeaning words. Even President Obama called him a "jackass" in an off-the-record television interview Monday night.
Will Kanye West become more or less popular after this incidence? Martha Stewart went to jail and came out more popular than she was before! However, in my opinion, this event was an example of awful PR. Although some fans will remain loyal, I believe that he will lose a big proportion of his fans who listen to rap and country (like myself). The majority of onlookers felt bad for Taylor Swift (good PR) and touched by what Beyonce did (good PR). However, like the many bloggers and President said, most people are disappointed in Kanye West's actions. Although he did apologize on The Jay Leno Show, was it enough to change the negative opinions people have formulated? I will find it very interesting to see how this event affects his fan base. Will he sell as many albums when his next album releases? Will his concerts still sell out? Right now, I am sure that his manager is working hard on his PR to improve his image to his fans.