ROUND 1: CROSS-COUNTRY CHALLENGE
KANYE WEST: Kanye West continues to be ridiculed for interrupting Taylor Swift during her now infamous acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. They are indeed an odd couple, but – gaffes aside – which one is a better artist? Kanye Omari West has climbed to the top in the world of hip-hop with memorable melodic beats. However, if you’re not a fan of rap, chances are you’ll switch radio stations.
TAYLOR SWIFT: Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s country twang gives her an ordinary, girl-next-door quality that belies her extraordinarily popular songs. She is as comfortable playing the role of pop princess as she is being teen country queen and her musical style can compete equally with the most catchy pop songs or emotional country ballads. Whatever the genre, her music amounts to the guiltiest of pleasures for non-country-lovin’ folk.
When it comes to crossing boundaries, Taylor is “Fearless”! Miss Swift scores the first point!
SCORE: KANYE WEST – 0
TAYLOR SWIFT – 1
ROUND 2: “RECORD” RECORD SALES
KANYE WEST: No matter how unique your style is, if you want to make it big in the music industry, you must have the numbers to back you up. Kanye West has released four albums to date: THE COLLEGE DROPOUT, LATE REGISTRATION, GRADUATION, and 808S AND HEARTBREAK. Collectively, these records have been certified 8x Platinum.
TAYLOR SWIFT: By comparison, Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut album and her sophomore CD, FEARLESS, have each gone 4x Platinum, matching Kanye’s selling power. The fact that Taylor Swift has sold as many albums as Kanye with a discography half his size is impressive enough to win this Round.
Taylor is riding a “White Horse” to the finish line, but can Kanye use “The New Workout Plan” to catch up?
SCORE: KANYE WEST – 0
TAYLOR SWIFT – 2
ROUND 3: SINGLE STRENGTH
KANYE WEST: Kanye West’s biggest single to date is “Stronger” in which he incorporates samples of Daft Punk’s electronica hit “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”. Some would argue that sampling another artist’s work is tantamount to musical ineptitude. I call it resourceful.
TAYLOR SWIFT: “Love Story” is not surprisingly Taylor Swift’s most successful single so far, but the public’s love affair with this song has long since waned. Catchy? Yes. Endearing? You bet. Overplayed? Without a doubt.
“Teardrops On My Guitar” will not be tolerated, Miss Swift! Suck it up and trudge on. With two rounds to go, Kanye West’s fortunes are looking up.
SCORE: KANYE WEST – 1
TAYLOR SWIFT – 2
ROUND 4: THE AWARD SWORD
KANYE WEST: In the music business as in life, it feels good to win and hurts to lose. Kanye is king when it comes to taking home awards and none is more important to a recording artist than the golden Grammy! Kanye has 12 Grammy titles to his credit, including three for Best Rap Album.
TAYLOR SWIFT: Taylor Swift has been nominated for numerous awards too, including the 2009 Grammy for Best New Artist, and has won at least 22 trophies. None of them, however, are Grammys.
Kanye is a real “Gold Digger”! Taylor is impaled by the weight of Kanye’s awards. Can she heal in time to make a comeback?
SCORE: KANYE WEST – 2
TAYLOR SWIFT – 2
ROUND 5: PERSONALITY PUNCH
KANYE WEST: If music had a recipe, it would be one part talent, two parts soul. So, personality is a key ingredient. Kanye has a chip on his shoulder that tends to overshadow his talent, as it did when he interrupted Taylor Swift at the VMAs. Even if modesty is overrated, no one likes an arrogant jerk.
TAYLOR SWIFT: Taylor Swift’s true colours shined just as brightly when she put on a brave face and, like the pro that she is, delivered a roof-raising performance only minutes after being publicly dissed on stage. Charming, resilient, and sincere, Taylor has the redeeming qualities of all great idols.
Kanye, how could you be so “Heartless”? “All Falls Down” for Mr. West.
SCORE: KANYE WEST – 2
TAYLOR SWIFT – 3
ROUND UP: Kanye tried to “Touch the Sky”, but his star came crashing down. Mr. West has carved out a loyal fan following, but compared to Taylor Swift’s speed to superstardom, his fans “Drive Slow”. With a classy personality, superior record sales, and songs that appeal to a wider audience, Taylor Swift will “Forever & Always” be an inspiration for others to follow.
Web Links:
www.kanyewest.com
www.taylorswift.com