Interested in finding new and innovative ways to increase his prestige, rapper mogul Kanye West decided to pay a visit to the Occupy Wall Street protests this Tuesday in hopes to carry on the torch of other multi-million dollar “revolutionary entertainers” such as M.C. Krazy Karl Marxxx and Lil’ Che Che. Accompanied by the even richer Russell Simmons, Mr. West brought a batch of custom made protest signs in order to help fan the flames of discontent. With classic protest mantras such as “So this is how broke people smell,” “Stop corporate greed/Start taking my picture,” and “My bank account might say I’m with the 1%, but 99% of 1% of me feels your pain,” Kanye West rallied up the masses at Wall Street in a temporary storm of confusion and “don’t know if I should be mad or amused.”
Apparently though, West must have had hundred dollar bills clogged in his lungs, because he refused to speak to the press, instead having Russell Simmons act as his spokesperson while he stood there looking slightly annoyed. “Kanye has been a big supporter spiritually for this movement,” said Simmons, who later tweeted “I love how sweet and tolerant he was to the crowd.” Shortly after the comment, West and Simmons left the protests leaving behind the fashion chic protest signs, most likely late for their tennis match on the Moon.
When asked by a tweeter about the goal of the duo’s trip to Wall Street, Simmons replied with hints that maybe West and other artists will organize a big rally (that is, if the price is right). You can watch the awkward video interview here, as well as all the signs West made for the protests here.
Kanye West and Russel Simmons weren’t the first celebrities to makes an appearance at Wall Street. Jeff Mangum played a set there and rapper Talib Kweli also performed at the protests. Future appearances by celebrities are rumored to include Tom Morello, who will be performing solo under his Nightwatchmen moniker.
• Occupy Wall Street: http://occupywallst.org
• Kanye West: http://kanyewest.com
