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MTV made a "bad move" by having troubled pop star Britney Spears open the Video Music Awards in Las Vegas, said Kanye West.
"They exploited her, they played me and I really don't mess with MTV." The rapper said he wanted to perform Stronger, the first single from his new album Graduation, on the main stage - where R&B hotshot Chris Brown wowed the crowd with Michael Jackson-esque dance moves - but complied when he was asked to host a suite party.
West said it was a blow to the ego when Justin Timberlake, who also hosted a suite party, ended up "on the big stage" to give the closing performance with Timbaland and Nelly Furtado.
"Those are the big things, and you know what I do, man, I really made the song Stronger, you know, for stadiums." West - who threw a tantrum backstage after losing in all five categories for which he was nominated - said he had bonded with 50 Cent over what they view as disrespectful behaviour from MTV.
