Kanye West and Lady Gaga: Together at last

By Melissa Arseniuk

Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 | 6:07 p.m.

Two of the most controversial artists in pop music have joined forces and are coming to Las Vegas.

The speech-interrupting, spotlight-stealing rapper otherwise known as Kanye West and oddball pop sensation Lady Gaga will play Mandalay Bay on Nov. 13.

The duo is set to hit the road together in November as they kick off their somewhat ironically titled “Fame Kills” tour.

They’re right, of course. Fame does kill. Apparently, it kills your sense of respect for other artists, as well as your sense of needing to have pants on before leaving the house.

The Las Vegas date will be the third stop along what is scheduled to be a 34-city tour of North America.

Both artists made headlines earlier this month following their appearances at the MTV Video Awards.

While Lady Gaga is known for wearing quirky costumes, dressing (or, perhaps, undressing) like a tranny and mixing her music with performance art, eyebrows were raised higher than normal when she gave a blood-soaked live performance during the Sept. 13 televised event. The fact that the blood was fake was little reassurance to fans who were left disgusted and outraged by performer’s antics.

Still, it was West who attracted the most VMA criticism after he snatched the microphone from country starlet Taylor Swift as she was accepting the spaceman for best female video of the year. The 32-year-old rapper launched into a now-notorious tirade and suggested Beyoncé Knowles deserved the statue more than young Swift did.

“I'm sorry, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time," he announced before returning the mic to a stunned Swift, who stood silent.

West later apologized for the incident and, the following night, told Jay Leno that he realized he needed to take some time off to reflect and re-center himself.

Despite his pledge, the upcoming tour was announced the very next day, on Sept. 15. Reflection doesn’t take long in Kanye-land.

Still, West and Gaga will have nearly two months before hitting the road for a tour that seems like it could test the “no press is bad press” adage.

One would think that 50-plus days would be enough time for West to get his act together, but it’s not hard to imagine the potential entertainment value if West tries to steal Lady Gaga’s mic or place in the spotlight. Gaga, we’re guessing, would go down without a fight.

Suffice to say it will be entertaining tour, either way.

Tickets for the Friday the 13th show at Mandalay Bay are priced at $99.50 and $129.50, and are on sale now.