Kanye West's Most Unforgettable TV Moments

Imma let you finish, but these are the best Kanye TV moments of all time.

Kanye West Taylor Swift
Image via Getty
Kanye West Taylor Swift

For someone who actively avoids being on his own family’s reality show, Kanye West has still had plenty of memorable times on the small screen throughout his career. MTV should honestly cut 'Ye a check for making otherwise boring award shows into unpredictable circuses, where you never know what he's going to do or say next. And the rare times he allows cameras to roll on 'Keeping Up' or other Kardashian-adjacent shows, he's a refreshing break from the monotony of calls on speaker phone and Scott Disick drama. Basically, any time West shows up on your screen, you know it's going to be good. So, for his 40th birthday, we’re looking back at some of West’s most unforgettable TV moments.

This “Magic” Moment 

Show: 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' S12, E12 
Date: July 31, 2016

 

As previously mentioned, Kanye doesn’t like to appear on Keeping Up With the Kardashians too frequently. But when he does, it’s quality stuff. Exhibit A is this clip from KUWTK in which we find out that West didn’t quite pick up on the sexual innuendo in Lil Kim & 50 Cent’s “Magic Stick.” So innocent.

Making of the “Only One” Video

Show: 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' S10, E8 
Date: May 3, 2015 

kanye north west only one

Another notable Keeping Up appearance from Kanye also happens to be his daughter North's debut on the show. West allowed E!’s cameras to document the making of his video for his sentimental track, “Only One,” and we all got to see a genuinely precious side of the Kardashian-West family. Dad Kanye might be the best Kanye.

Supporting Caitlyn Jenner 

Show: 'I Am Cait' S1, E1
Date: July 26, 2015

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In March 2016, Yeezy went public with his support for Caitlyn Jenner’s transition on the season premiere of the former Olympian’s docuseries, I Am Cait. West’s unequivocal praise for Jenner was particularly moving, and in true Kanye fashion, even a little theatrical. "I think it’s one of the strongest things that have happened in our existence as human beings, that are so controlled by perception," he said.

Proposing to Kim

Show: 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' S9, E5 
Date: Feb. 16, 2014

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Yes, Kanye asked Kim to marry him in a baseball stadium—but this wasn't your average Jumbotron proposal. Regardless what you think of Kimye as a couple, it was pretty phenomenal to watch the The "Black Skinhead" rapper get down on one knee in front of a ton of pyrotechnics, a 90-piece orchestra, and a group of the reality singer's family and friends. Well done, 'Ye. 

Appearing on Kris Jenner's Short-Lived Talk Show

Show: ​'Kris' S1, E6 
Date: Aug. 23, 2013

via GIPHY

'Ye was understandably subdued during his chat with his mother-in-law, Kris Jenner. Still, the interview was significant for two reasons: one, he gave the world the first glimpse of baby North, who was only two months old at the time. And two, he gave us the above GIF that keeps on giving.  

Crashing the Stage AKA "Imma let you finish..."

Show: ​MTV Video Music Awards 
Date: Sept. 13, 2009

Kanye West Taylor Swift

Perhaps his most notorious televised moment of all time, West famously interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to let her know that he thought Beyonce totally should have won. The awkward interaction goes down in history as one of the craziest award show moments ever, and it birthed the iconic "I'mma let you finish..." phrase that people still quote almost 10 years later. 

Announcing His Plan to Run for Presidency in 2020 

Show: ​MTV Video Music Awards
Date: Aug. 30, 2015

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Another classic 'Ye award show moment was when he announced his plans to run for president while making a speech to accept his MTV Video Vanguard Award at the 2015 VMAs. After rambling to the audience about the importance of "listening to the kids" and name-dropping everyone from Taylor Swift to Ceelo Green and Justin Timberlake, he ended his 9 minute speech with: "And yes, as you probably could've guessed by this moment I have decided in 2020 to run for president."

Getting 'Punk'd' on the set of "Jesus Walks" 

Show: ​'Punk'd' S3, E8 
Date: June 13, 2004

Kanye West getting Punk'd on the set of Jesus Walks.https://t.co/mVNzmSILKz

In 2008, Ashton Kutcher pulled one on 'Ye on the set of "Jesus Walks." The MTV prank show claimed Kanye's crew didn't have a permit to film. West seemed pretty unbothered by the whole incident until someone claiming to be from the LA County sherriff's department stole the footage that he had already shot for the vid—and you know Kanye takes his music videos very seriously. After a few tense minutes, Kutcher finally came out to let West know it was all a joke, and Yeezy had to laugh. 

"George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People"

Show: 'A Concert for Hurricane Relief' 
Date: Sept. 2, 2005

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Forget the Hennessy-fueled VMAs antics: West's boldest television moment of all time went down during NBC Universal's A Concert for Hurricane Relief in 2005. At the last minute, the "Late Registration" rapper decided to go off-script during his bit with Mike Meyers, and boldly declared, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." President George W. Bush later recalled to Matt Lauer of NBC that he regarded the situation as the lowest point of his presidency. 

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