Kanye West Turned Down American Idol Gig: "He Didn't Want to Go That Mainstream"

The good folks over at US Weekly report that Kanye West would have turned down a gig on American Idol.

A source tells Us Weekly exclusively that the hip hop star was offered the third and final spot on Idol's judging panel for the upcoming 13th season. After thinking it over, however, he decided to pass, in part because he worried it would hurt his reputation.

The artist who is set to appear on his mother-in-law Kris Jenner's new show allegedly said that "he didn't want to go that mainstream,"

"He didn't want to lose any street cred. So he turned it down."

It seems that their choice is now to be made among Will.i.am, Sean "Diddy" Combs (how would that work with J.Lo??), Rodney Jerkins, and Dr. Luke.