Archipel-a-gogo!

So, I’m gonna try this thing where I post parts of my pre-edited stories/commentary here, for posterity and discussion (if that will exist).  

original: Kanye West’s ‘Theraflu’ Will Hereafter Be Known as ‘Way Too Cold’

It would appear that the day has come, in which Kanye West finally decides nip a lawsuit in the bud. Following news that Novartis, the maker of Theraflu, was none too pleased with Yeezy’s none-too-subtle utilization of their brand’s name and likeness for his new track, the rapper announced on Saturday via his website that the track would henceforth be called “Way Too Cold” — and that the cover art would now feature a white silhouette in place of the Theraflu bottle that originally sat there, atop a beheaded naked woman’s chest.

To the untrained eye, it might seem like Theraflu won this battle; West seems to claim that the title change was a “creative decision,” which would be a very Kanye-esque non-admittal of guilt, had he truly realized he’d gone too far in his creative liberties by challenging a (pretty powerful) pharmaceutical company. But read a little into the press release on ‘Ye’s site, and it becomes clear that this was probably part of the plan: boasts like “Praised by fans and attacked by detractors, ‘Theraflu’ ignited controversy the way only a new Kanye West track can” make it pretty clear that the track’s title was meant to ruffle feathers, and just like Cee Lo’s clean “Forget You” fools no one over age 12 as to its original lyrics, so Yeezy fans will still undoubtedly call “Way Too Cold” by its original, copyright-infringing title — much to the chagrin of Novartis, this is one Yeezy bell that can’t be un-rung.