Sure Kanye West is a huge  a**hole, and sure he has the biggest ego in hip-hop but without him, things tend to get a little boring. His outburst at this years Video Music Awards was the highlight of the night, and even though he embarrassed/ disrespected poor Taylor, I think its safe to say that he also gave her career a little boost. Watch what happened:

Now, check out some of the reasons why Taylor should thank him:

1. She got to share the stage with Beyonce, that’s a once in a lifetime oppurtunity.

2. We actually watched her VMA performance, even if it was to see if she could make it through it without crying.

3. Thanks to Kanye she’ll always have a spot at Music World Entertainment (Matthew Knowles record label-founded in 2003).

4. After ratings soared out the roof for this years VMA’s, you better believe Taylor Swift will be sitting in the front of every award show next year.

5. Thanks to Kanye, people took the chance to use the word n*gger and get away with it.(Actually this wasn’t a good thing, this set us back a couple of years/ lifetimes, Kanye.)

So as we can see there have been some feelings hurt and statements made from Mr. West, but I can’t help but look at how much his controversy benefits everyone who was involved. Beyonce is ever more of an angel, Taylor Swift looks like a goddess, and Kanye made every single news headline.

Hmm…coincidence, I think not!

Usually when artist step outside their expected genres it is deemed as creative genius but this week artists have crossed genres and dropped records with let’s just say, the last person you would expect. Here is a rundown of some of those unexpected collabs.

Taylor Swift x T-Pain

For a spin on Country singer Taylor Swift’s hit “Love Story,” Swift and king autotune, T-Pain, collab on what they call a banger, “Thug Story.” With Swift’s high top Nikes, Pain’s “Big Ass Chain,” and autotune in the pocket, the video is pure comedy as the duo claim to be official rap stars.

Now I understand Pain’s purpose to gain more publicity and possibly more downloads, but what does Swift get out of this? Fulfillment of becoming a rapper? Whatever the reasoning, the lyrics are pretty funny if you can get pass hearing Swift rapping in her pre-puberty Kid Bopz voice. Here are some of my favorite lyrics: 

“I’m so gangster you can find me baking cookies at night/ You out clubbing?/ Well I just made Caramel Delights.”

“You can call me T-Sweezy now I’m a rap star.”

“You don’t wanna fight me…in my extra small white tee.” 

The Jonas Brothers x Common

On their forthcoming album, Lies, Vines and Trying Times, the Jonases solicit help from the Chicago rapper Common for the song entitled “Don’t Charge Me For the Crime,” telling MTV they wanted a “rapper who has some real meaningful lyrics.” 

Although questionable in credibility—it is the virgin Jo Bros talking about robbing a bank—the track is pretty decent, straying from the expected teeny bopper anthem. It isn’t Linkin Park but the boys try their hand in something new. Whether a hit or miss, forget Arab money, they definitely will be getting Disney money for this one. 

Mariah Carey x Gucci Mane

On Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed” the songstress claims, “I need an MC” and apparently she found one—an underground rapper who has been killing the mixtape scene, Gucci Mane that is. It would be expected for Carey to choose a rapper known for going in on R&B remixes, Fabolous or Lil’ Wayne for instance, but instead she went to the “A” and brought the Trap Star to mainstream. The collab between the duo isn’t deafening but Gucci’s grunts and attempts to harmonize are. The song is bound to be played on every radio due to Mairah’s pop success on the charts, but it just proves her point, “You’re a mom and pop, I’m a corporation.” 

-Felicia Kelley

Pop culture phenom M.I.A. has yet another reason to rejoice.

Aside from being an expectant mother, the Sri-Lankan born femcee’s musical contributions not only earned the critically acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire a Golden Globe for Best Original Score For A Motion Picture, but also helped propel the film’s soundtrack earn number one spot on iTunes this week.

Scored by producer A.R. Rahman and released via M.I.A.’s label N.E.E.T (a venture with Interscope Records) the soundtrack beat out Kanye West and Taylor swift to claim the top spot.