Citing a constant buzz of paparazzi-piloted imagery drones surveilling his California home, West will reveal the avian deployment in an upcoming episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, according to the Daily Star.
“It’s going to be all-out war,” West warned, claiming he will use trained raptors to patrol the skies over his $20 million mansion in LA and hopes to “send every paparazzi lens crashing to the ground in a hundred pieces.”
The recording artist drew inspiration from a recent video depicting an avian anti-drone trial by Dutch company Guard From Above and he is not alone.
Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said his department may consider the use of birds of prey to take out errant drones – especially those found flying near restricted areas.
However, maintaining a winged drone patrol may not be financially feasible for the beleaguered West. He recently announced on Twitter he is in debt to the tune of $53 million. Experts interviewed by the Daily Star say the care, feeding and training of two anti-drone eagles and a handler could cost as much as $4,000 per day.
To the public, West’s anti-drone declaration is one of many in a long line of controversial statements and antics.
In February, West defied the paparazzi as he emerged from his studio with wife, Kim Kardashian, by covering his head with a sweatshirt (prompting even more coverage of course). In addition to his rant-filled interruption of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech in 2009, West announced at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards that he would run for president in 2020.
The paparazzi are taking Kanye’s threat in stride – an unnamed drone photographer told the media: “Most of us are surprised Kanye hasn’t tried to shoot our drones out of the sky himself.”
On that note, perhaps President Yeezy will hire Kentucky drone hunter William Merideth as head of Homeland Security. We’ll keep you posted.
Jason is a longstanding contributor to DroneLife with an avid interest in all things tech. He focuses on anti-drone technologies and the public safety sector; police, fire, and search and rescue.
Beginning his career as a journalist in 1996, Jason has since written and edited thousands of engaging news articles, blog posts, press releases and online content.
Email Jason
TWITTER:@JasonPReagan
Subscribe to DroneLife here.