SOUL RECKLESS 08: Kanye West 'Paparazzi Check'

Kanye West turned the tables on the paparazzi in 2008, not once, but twice, leaving cameras damaged, airport security in the news, and millions gawking at the videos.

In the last two years everyone from Gary Dourdan to Halle Berry has had run-ins with paparazzi who have become more than eager to climb over bushes, fences and whatever else is necessary to get that high priced photo or video. No one had actually turned the tables on the brazen photogs until Kanye West showed them what it was like to feel helpless and in need of security.

On Sep. 12, Kanye West made his first, and most publicized, offense at Los Angeles International Airport while heading through security. Stopped by paparazzi who were reportedly stationed at the airport, West and a member of his entourage scuffled with the paps. In video obtained by TMZ hired photogs West was seen smashing cameras as frightened paparazzo yelled “help police” to which the “Love Lockdown” star responded “Ain’t no police”.

Arrested after the scuffle, Kanye ended up escaping charges and was released. Hours later he boarded a private flight to Hawaii.

Two months later, on Nov. 14, the “Heartless” star struck again, this time at a Newcastle, England night club. Arrested but not charged again West admitted: “I put my hand up to the camera in self defense!" he wrote. "I didn't assault him but merely [put] my hand up to cover his lens. My security yelled, 'Get the camera off him.' I guess in all the commotion, the camera scraped his nose.”

Revisiting both incidents West later wrote: “The fact that he could get me arrested off a mere complaint but I can't ask him to stop taking pictures of me is very lopsided," Kanye wrote. "I am not a celebrity. I'm a normal person that's just famous. I refuse to sneak in and out of back doors and kitchens of hotels... I am protecting my personal space since there are no laws to protect that for me.”

Kanye has a point. Should there be a law to keep paparazzi in check ?

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