The last horrifying year resulting from his buffoonery at last year's MTV's VMAs has also cut into a vein of liquid silver: a more thoughtful, introspective Kanye ready to make amends, do his penance and get back to work.

Here's the truth too: it probably has also delivered him a bigger audience than ever. And at Sunday's award show, Kanye's singing mea culpa, his plea for acceptance, was a masterstroke revealing both honesty and talent.

Welcome back, Kanye.