RAP BEEF TIMELINE · 2013–2013
Kanye West vs. Jimmy Kimmel
The Zane Lowe parody and an on-air reset
Jimmy Kimmel Live! parodies Kanye West’s Zane Lowe interview with child actors, triggering Kanye’s all-caps Twitter backlash and a heated phone call. A long Kimmel sit-down lets both sides explain themselves and resolves the flare-up on air.
THE RECORD
The moments
Video response
Kimmel’s child-actor spoof reframes the Zane Lowe interview
Jimmy Kimmel Live! turns lines from Kanye’s BBC Radio 1 interview into a sketch performed by children, prompting Kanye’s public outrage.
▶ Find the Kimmel parodyRead the receipt ↗Social media · disputed account
Kanye demands an apology in all caps
Kanye posts a stream of messages accusing Kimmel of disrespecting a rare honest interview; Kimmel shares that Kanye has also called him directly.
Read the receipt ↗Reconciliation
A 20-minute studio conversation resolves the feud
Kanye joins Kimmel live, defends his self-description as a creative genius, and hears Kimmel’s explanation for the joke. The conflict ends on air.
▶ Watch Kanye on Jimmy Kimmel Live!Read the receipt ↗
THE RECEIPTS
Sources and listening
Kanye West public conflicts — broadcasts, posts, released music, and interviews ↗ARTIST LENSES