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Gretchen Wilson Reminds Kanye West She Was His First

Gretchen Wilson Kanye WestFilmMagic | Getty Images

Kanye West made headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2009, after his rude interruption of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech during the MTV Video Music Awards. But another country star was the first to be subjected to the rapper's rants, before Taylor was even old enough to drive.

Gretchen Wilson beat out Kanye and Maroon 5 to take home the American Music Award in 2004 for Favorite Breakthrough Artist. It was a loss the rapper didn't take quietly. "I felt like I was definitely robbed," he declared after the ceremony. "I was the best new artist this year."

The incident may have happened over six years ago, but the 'Redneck Woman' singer still has strong feelings about it. "I think he's an ass for acting like that," Gretchen tells CMT. "He really is. He makes quite a spectacle. Grow up! Quit being such a baby! If somebody beats you, it's because they deserve to beat you. And I don't know if you remember all the way back to the first time -- I outsold you, bro! Do your homework."

The Grammy winner (and current nominee) says she wasn't intimidated by Kanye's pompous claims then, nor is she intimidated by him now. "It's kinda cool for me to know that I was the first," Gretchen admits. "Kanye, just remember, I was your first. And I'm not above kicking your ass."

She's also not above putting her music up against the material of other more mainstream artists. "I have learned over the last six years that the most important thing is the show itself, not all of the drama, not whether you can paint yourself up like Lady Gaga," Gretchen tells The Boot. "You need to kick their butts with the music and the energy and that's what we do with this group. You wouldn't call it an easy show with Gretchen Wilson; It's more like a Lynyrd Skynyrd show that leans toward southern rock energy. We play songs they are familiar with, new songs and really rock 'n' roll."

Gretchen will hit the road in February for several dates, including stops in Mississippi, Minnesota and California. See her tour schedule here.


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Denizio

I saw Kanye at the Thanksgiving day parade and I could not tell the difference between him and the other hot air balloons

January 26 2011 at 4:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
allpromaterials

West is a bum. If some white dude did all the ignirant things that moron has done they would be scorned by liberals and the media. But a loser from the hood does and says as he pleases and all is well.You can take folks out of their surroundings dress em up but it doesn't taje long to tell what they are and where they are from.All I want to see is him going up to Toby Keith or someone like that and try to take the mic.No he picks a 17 year old girl.Typical of the hood.

January 26 2011 at 3:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bryan

Felt like this response I wrote earlier deserved its own spot...

Haha, I tried to be much more diplomatic about it. Thanks for making it much clearer. The amount of hypocrisy and bigotry is outrageous. Don't like the guy and his behavior, but to call him a "negro" or an "ape" is beyond racist. To bring his mother into the picture is just distasteful and deplorable.

Of course, we could call Gretchen names like "redneck trash" (which is derogatory in most parts of this country), but these people might take pride in it for some odd reason.

And yes. I said "these people!" ;-)

For those who said whoever listens to Kanye is just as stupid, I have two college degrees and no...not online or trade degrees. I am a white, jewish and rather tolerant male. But I guess I just opened up a whole other can of worms...

January 25 2011 at 8:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bryan

Haha, I tried to be much more diplomatic about it. Thanks for making it much clearer. The amount of hypocrisy and bigotry is outrageous. Don't like the guy and his behavior, but to call him a "negro" or an "ape" is beyond racist. To bring his mother into the picture is just distasteful and deplorable.

Of course, we could call Gretchen names like "redneck trash" (which is derogatory in most parts of this country), but these people might take pride in it for some odd reason.

And yes. I said "these people!" ;-)

For those who said whoever listens to Kanye is just as stupid, I have two college degrees and no...not online or trade degrees. I am a white, jewish and rather tolerant male. But I guess I just opened up a whole other can of worms...

January 25 2011 at 8:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
finklehoffer

HIM AND LADY GA GA SHOULD GET MARRIED AND FALL OFF THE EDGE OF THE PLANET, NEITHER ARE ARTISTS

January 24 2011 at 8:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
finklehoffer

SUPRISED KANYE LOVERS CAN MUSTER UP ENOUGH CASH TO HAVE A COMPUTER, OOOOOOOOOH THATS RIGHT, PAWN SHOP SPECIALS $50 BUCKS

January 24 2011 at 8:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
finklehoffer

SORRY I DONT LIKE RAP, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE I CAN'T WEAR MY HAT ALL SIDEWAYS LIKE A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON AND BIG BAGGY SHORTS DOWN AROUND MY ANKLES LIKE i DONT HAVE THE GOD GIVEN SENSE TO PULL UP MY DEAWERS, AND WHAT KIND OF A WOMAN GETS TURNED ON SEEING THAT LOOK ON A MAN??? I DONT WANT HER

January 24 2011 at 8:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
finklehoffer

PRISON WARDENS ARE TO BLAME FOR RAP BECAUSE THEY DID NOT STOP IN PRISON WHERE IT STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE, GOT NUTTING BETTER TO DO DAN SAT HEA
BODDERIN YOU, AHITE??

January 24 2011 at 8:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
finklehoffer

RAP ARTIST ???? RAP IS NOTHING NEAR ART OR MUSIC, MORE OF A CULTURAL ACCIDENT, SOUNDS SIMILAR TO EXHAUST PIPE & MUFFLER DRAGING UNDER A CAR

January 24 2011 at 8:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JJ

Nothing is said because it goes back to one issue and one issue only, it all started January 2009 when Obama took the Oath and became the first African American president..now comes all the politically correct bull crap..not me I will continue on as I did before the past Presidential election..I haven't changed and why should I change ?

January 24 2011 at 6:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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