As you already know, at the 2009 VMAs hip hop superstar Kanye West jumped on stage during the first award of the night to tell the world that 19 year old country music phenom Taylor Swift didn't deserve to win. A media sh*t storm has since ensued. Leaving publicists, PR experts and industry professionals to debate one topic: Can Kanye's career survive this?

It's a fair question. After all, West has jumped on stage uninvited before. He has interrupted awards, he has thrown backstage tantrums and even called racism when the awards didn't go his way. We have watched him stand up for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and melt down in a crying fit when another performer gets to  perform at a better time slot. But this was different. When Kanye spoke out about George Bush, he looked rebellious. When he argued that he should have won an award, he looked overly passionate. When he interrupted a squeaky clean teenage girl's first major award (that he wasn't even nominated for), he looks like a bully.

His outburst was certainly rude, uncalled for and he should put it on his list of things to regret for the rest of his life. But, was it unforgivable? Can a man who has made such incredible music for nearly 10 years be blacklisted for a 30 second mistake? He didn't physically harm anyone. He didn't break any laws. But he did victimize a teenage girl on live television. He made himself look not only childish, but classless and mean. Is this new reputation something that can be repaired? If so, how? Will a hit record, tearful apology or trip to rehab wipe away the memory?

Fortunately for Kanye, he has a prime example of what not to do right in front of him: Chris Brown. Brown's handlers appear to be giving him the worst advice imaginable. On top of that, he hasn't released any good music to remind us of why we are supposed to love him since his arrest. Kanye on the other hand, is doing everything right. He apologized to Swift and to her mother then he went on live TV within 24 hours and offered another very sincere apology. Not only did he apologize, but moments later he stood next to Jay-Z and Rhianna and gave a great performance of a song that he produced. He reminded us that his unchecked passion can also create incredible music. There is only one major piece to the puzzle missing: Swift and West need to publicly bury the hatchet. Collaborating on a song together (for example) would not only create sales gold, it would make it tough for Swift's fans to scowl at West. It's hard to hate someone while you are dancing to their music.

So, can Kanye's career survive? The simple answer is yes. In fact, I would go as far as saying "OF COURSE!" After all, R. Kelly was "allegedly" seen committing rape on a video tape that was viewed by millions and he is still making hits. It takes time, but eventually this too shall pass. Kanye's road to perdition is no where near over and he will certainly lose a lot of support from what Sarah Palin calls "real America." But if he continues to make amends, he has a long career ahead of him.

Cheers,

-JM