Kanye West Parties With Models At Album Launch

Kanye insists the women were `live performance artists` who appeared as part of an arranged art show he masterminded with Vanessa Beercroft.

Kanye West caused a stir at the launch party of his new album by inviting 40 naked models to attend. The rapper unveiled his eagerly-anticipated fourth album '808s and Heartbreak' - due to be released in November - at a lavish bash at Los Angeles' Ace Gallery on Tuesday (14.10.08), but guests were amazed to find the room full of nude beauties wearing masks.

A source said: "After waiting in an area with an open bar and a DJ, we walked up a driveway illuminated by fluorescent lights to a darkened room where we saw 40 nude women. Most of them were wearing strange masks made of wool. "The models stood in the middle of the room - black girls at the front and white girls at the back. Then the entire album played without any introduction or explanation."

Kanye insists the women were `live performance artists` who appeared as part of an arranged art show he masterminded with Italian artist Vanessa Beecroft.

After the playback - in front of 700 fans and industry professionals - had finished, Kanye appeared alongside the model and launched a foul-mouthed tirade against critics who are considering giving the album a negative review.

He said: "These are pieces of real life that I'm putting out for people to judge. It's from my heart. "I don't give a f**k if someone rates it 'hot' or 'not.' I'm here to bring positivity that cannot be judged. It's like judging a grandmother's love."

The star also revealed plans to release another full-length album next summer and explained new song 'Cold As Winter' is a tribute to his mother, who died following complications from cosmetic surgery operation late last year.