Kanye Claims His Dad Was a Paparazzo

Kanye West has always had issues with the paparazzi. He's gone on rants about the paparazzi in interviews, he's horrifically compared paparazzi harassment to rape, and last year, he attacked a photographer, Daniel Ramos, at LAX, which resulted in charges for battery and grand theft. In his deposition in reference to this event, which was recently obtained by TMZ, Kanye West said his father was a paparazzo in order to make a point about not hating all of them. "My father was a paparazzo himself," West told lawyers.

While it's true that West's father was a photographer — "paparazzo" might be a stretch as he was a photojournalist — this seems like a pretty weak defense. It doesn't really matter whether or not West gets along with some of the paparazzi, as TMZ explains it, because in this very deposition he accuses Ramos' lawyer of representing scum.

He also compared the media's treatment of celebrities to racial discrimination in the '60s. "We, as group of minorities here in LA, as celebrities have to ban together to influence guys like this — guys trying to take the picture, guys trying to get the big win, guys trying to get the check." He also says that he's the "the smartest celebrity you've ever fucking dealt with." He's really not making a great case here, as saying his father was a paparazzo pales in comparison to equating the profession to racism or rape.

It could be because any monetary fines that come from this won't be an issue for him, but judging by the deposition, it seems to me that West is more concerned with having his point heard, than with clearing his name. In fact, this case in particular was already settled and West was sentenced to two years probation, 250 hours of community service, 24 anger management sessions, and payment of restitution to Ramos. Unfortunately for West, Ramos wouldn't accept this deal which is why West is now being questioned in a civil trial.

Regardless of what the outcomes of this ends up being, West seems to be making a fool out of himself and the judicial system, and it would be ridiculous to believe that he doesn't actually have a problem with the paparazzi.