Could it be that the art form we’ve known as Hip Hop has become drained of its creativity that gimmicks have become acceptable replacements?  So check it…This morning I’m reading about Kanye West’s Los Angeles Listening Party that took place on Tuesday for his new album “808s & Heartbreak,” due Nov. 25.  Apparently as ‘Ye hit entered the venue he was accompanied by more than 20 butt ass naked models.

According to People.com the exclusive audience of about 200 guests which included the likes of Jay-Z, Jimmy Kimmel, Will.i.am, L.A. Reid and deejay Steve Aoki looked on in either amazment or outrage as the ladies assembled in a triangle formation in front of a glowing neon-light background wearing nothing but black stilettos and wigs.

So what did Kanye have to say?

“I like the idea of nudity because I realize it’s society that told us to wear clothes at a certain point…It’s from my heart. I don’t give a f*** if someone rates it ‘hot’ or ‘not.’ It doesn’t matter to me at this point.”

We’ve definately heard that bass in his voice before.

Now while I personally prefer my women in black stelletos and not much else I do have to take a slight exception to the display.  Granted, I wasn’t there but where’s the connection?  I’ve always admired Kanye for his originality and willingness to experiment with his music and that’s why I feel he should always let the beats (first) and the lyrics (second) speak for him.  He doesn’t need a distracting, yes gimmick to make the evening succesful.  Now everyone from People to Highbrid Nation is not talking about the quality of the project bu instead the butt ass naked models that oddly were on blast at the event.  I don’t get it and I’m sure the audience didn’t either.  I can appreciate the female body sculpture and all that but there’s a time and definately a place.  It almost leads me to think that Kanye is insecure about the project and needed something to divert the listeners attentions away even momentairly from hearing what may be perhaps a flawed project.  From what i’m hearing the album is soaked in auto-tune and vocoder special effects.  Who knows…but all I’m saying is i’m dissapointed.