John Legend explains at length why he 'disagrees' with friend Kanye West's Beck outburst post-Grammys

John Legend is clearing up comments he made about Kanye West, seemingly defending his behavior from the Grammys. He wrote a lengthy Instagram post explaining he thought the rapper running up to the stage was funny and lighthearted but made it clear he did not agree with his comments during the E! after show.

Before catching wind of what the “Only One” rapper said about Beck needing to “respect artistry” and give his Grammy to Beyonce, who he believes is more deserving of the Album of the Year award, Legend told Us Weekly his stunt in rushing the stage was “funny.”

"Anybody who's upset just needs to relax,” he mused.

He’s now telling Us Weekly and his Instagram followers he does not agree with what West said about Beck.

“He believed in me years ago when very few did, and I wouldn't be here without his support,” Legend said of West. “That doesn't mean we'll agree on everything, but it does mean that I am grateful to him.”

He continued to clarify, “When I said that was funny and people should lighten up about it, that's what I meant. I wasn't referring to Kanye's comments after the show, which I have now seen and heard. I disagree with those comments."

Legend went on to praise Beck and reminded that the Grammys selections are a “subjective process.”

"Beck is indeed a true artist's artist. He's a multi-instrumentalist, a creative and unique singer-songwriter whose music I have bought and enjoyed over the years," he said. "While his win may have been a surprise to many, it's not because he's not a great artist deserving of recognition. All of the other nominated artists, including Beyonce, are incredible in their own right, and arguments could be made for any of them deserving to win."

I want to clarify my thoughts on Kanye's actions at the Grammys on Sunday. First of all, Kanye is my friend. He believed in me years ago when very few did, and I wouldn't be here without his support. That doesn't mean we'll agree on everything, but it does mean that I am grateful to him. And I also believe he is one of the most gifted people I've had the privilege of working with. In my comments to US Weekly, I said that when Kanye walked up on stage, mimicking his interruption of Taylor Swift's VMA acceptance speech, then turned around as if he was just playing, most of the room including me saw this as funny, as a way of taking the piss out of himself for his infamous behavior several years ago. When I said that was funny and people should lighten up about it, that's what I meant. I wasn't referring to Kanye's comments after the show which I have now seen and heard. I disagree with those comments. Beck is indeed a true artist's artist. He's a multi-instrumentalist, a creative and unique singer-songwriter whose music I have bought and enjoyed over the years. While his win may have been a surprise to many, it's not because he's not a great artist deserving of recognition. All of the other nominated artists, including Beyonce, are incredible in their own right, and arguments could be made for any of them deserving to win. This is not an objective process. It's completely subjective, in fact. We can all debate who we thought should have won. But even if you didn't vote for him, plenty of our colleagues in the music business did. These voters are all creators who love music and have dedicated their lives to it, and the plurality of them chose Beck as the Album of the Year. I respect their decision and congratulate Beck on this outstanding accomplishment.

A photo posted by John Legend (@johnlegend) on

image via Instagram from John Legend

image via INFphoto.com

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