Kanye Does Not Claim "King Of Pop" Throne

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 29, 2009 8:40PM

UPDATE: Alright, we admit it, we were fooled. Seems this whole story is bunk. Apologies all around and now we can go back to loving Kanye unabashedly. Thanks to commenter John R who pointed this out to us.

Oh, Kanye. We're known as, and occasionally criticized for, being Kanye apologists around here, but even we are shaking our heads at Mr. West's latest declarations of greatness. According to Ace Showbiz (via The Superficial), in the wake of Michael Jackson's death, Kanye is now laying claim to the title, "The King of Pop," and may have even asked Jackson's family for permission to use the moniker. Speaking to Scrape TV, Kanye allegedly said:

"There's nobody who can match me in sales and in respect so it only makes sense for me to take over Michael's crown and become the new King. First there was Elvis [Presley], then there was Michael, now in the 21st century it's Kanye's time to rule. I have nothing but respect for Michael but someone needs to pick up where he left off and there's nobody better than me to do that. I am the new King of Pop."

Ace recounts how Jackson got the moniker originally - from pal Elizabeth Taylor - but even more fun is looking at how far Jackson took the title. But until Kanye gets his face on a cookie, we're sorry, he can't claim the throne.