Kanye West gets 40 naked models at launch

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.