Nick Cannon Blames Rap Alter Ego for Ashanti Proposal Stunt

Nick Cannon was wildin’ out at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The multi-faceted star hit the red carpet at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center wearing a sparkly cropped vest with matching Timberlands and red dreadlocks. He even got on one knee and pretended to propose to Ashanti, making him a trending topic on Twitter.

Following Sunday’s spectacle, Cannon denied that it was him behind the disguise. “This ain’t me!! Y’all trippin,” he wrote in an Instagram post Monday before blaming his new rap alter ego, Murda Count Harlem, for the publicity stunt.

“Usually I don’t address this social media gossip but after my name was trending WORLDWIDE again for something I didn’t do, I have to say y’all trippin on this on!” he said.

He also used the opportunity to plug his upcoming daytime talk show, “Nick Cannon.” “I have a brand new Talk show coming out September 27th!” added Nick. “Why would I go to the VMA’s like this!? I heard this some corny new rapper named @MurdaCountHarlem I see no resemblance #respectfully.”

Ashanti was surprised to learn that it was Cannon in costume. “I didn’t even know that was u!!” she wrote on her Instagram Story alongside a photo of Cannon on one knee.

She even laughed when a fan suggested that the father of seven got her pregnant by kissing her hand. “Y’all better stop playin with me!!!!” she commented.

But Cannon’s fans weren’t fooled by the disguise. “Bruh that’s you without the [turban]. Respectfully,” wrote one, while another added, “We see your tattoos.”

It’s unclear if Murda Count Harlem has anything to do with Cannon’s talk show, but some fans want to see more. “Bring him to WildNOut,” said one fan.