The self proclaimed “outspoken” and most “opinionated” rapper Kanye West has finally provided the public with an in-depth interview [on of which will probably NOT get for another several months]. With the controversy surrounding Kanye’s new album “YEEZUS” ; particularly his “album cover art” and new singles ” Black Skin Heads“ and “New Slaves“, Kanye seems to embarking on a new music path.
Clearly, Kanye has evolved since the days of rapping about the ‘Good Life’ and ‘Golddigger’. In West recent interview with NY times, Kanye West opens up about his evolve-ment as a musician and a human being. He also touches little on his relationship with girlfriend Kim Kardashian and “new baby”
However Kanye seemed unapologetic when asked about his previous rants against [ie: George Bush, and later Taylor Swift] .
As West explains, “seeking justice” doesn’t always mean “War” Kanye explains that he speaks up for what is NOT fair and noted in one example that although he had a “won a Grammy“; he had never won over a “white person” therefore he is not impressed with the ‘Grammy Accolade‘ but he does strive for it for “statistical purposes”
Here’s a few of some of my favorite excerpts of the interview:
On The New Album:
“Yeah, it’s like trap and drill and house. I knew that I wanted to have a deep Chicago influence on this album, and I would listen to like, old Chicago house. I think that even “Black Skinhead” could border on house, “On Sight” sounds like acid house, and then “I Am a God” obviously sounds, like, super house.”
…..Yeah, visceral, tribal. I’m just trying to cut away all the — you know, it’s even like what we talk about with clothing and fashion, that sometimes all that gets in the way. You even see the way I dress now is so super straight.
On Whether He’s Seeking Acceptance From the “Elite Powers Of The Industry “
” No, I don’t think I feel like that anymore. I feel like I don’t want to be inside anymore. Like, I uninvited myself….I think just more actual self-realization and self-belief. The longer your ‘gevity is, the more confidence you build. The idea of Kanye and vanity are like, synonymous. But I’ve put myself in a lot of places where a vain person wouldn’t put themselves in. Like what’s vanity about wearing a kilt? “
On Public Perception That Kanye Does Not Utilize his Vanity In Fashion As He Does In His Music:
“But the passion is for humanity. The passion is for people. The passion is for the 18-year-old version of myself. The passion is for the kids at my shows. I need to do more. I need to be able to give people more of what they want that currently is behind a glass. I don’t believe that it’s luxury to go into a store and not be able to afford something. I believe luxury is to be able to go into a store and be able to afford something.”
“I sat down with a clothing guy that I won’t mention, but hopefully if he reads this article, he knows it’s him and knows that out of respect, I didn’t mention his name: this guy, he questioned me before I left his office:, “If you’ve done this, this, and this, why haven’t you gone further in fashion?” And I say, “I’m learning.” But ultimately, this guy that was talking to me doesn’t make Christmas presents, meaning that nobody was asking for his [stuff] as a Christmas present. If you don’t make Christmas presents, meaning making something that’s so emotionally connected to people, don’t talk to me.”
When whether he’d truly felt “Apologetic” for Interrupting Taylor Swift Kanye West says:
“If anyone’s reading this waiting for some type of full-on, flat apology for anything, they should just stop reading right now….. Yeah, I think that I have like, faltered, you know, as a human. My message isn’t perfectly defined. I have, as a human being, fallen to peer pressure…….”
On On Of The Most Important Roles Of Fatherhood:
“One of the things was just to be protective, that I would do anything to protect my child or my child’s mother. As simple as that.
When Asked About His Excitement Of Father And The Experience To Come Ye said:
Yeah. Well, I just don’t want to talk to America about my family. Like, this is my baby. This isn’t America’s baby.
On His Future Legacy And It’s Comparison to Steve Jobs:
“I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means. I am undoubtedly, you know, Steve of Internet, downtown, fashion, culture. Period. By a long jump. I honestly feel that because Steve has passed, you know, it’s like when Biggie passed and Jay-Z was allowed to become Jay-Z.”
“I’ve been connected to the most culturally important albums of the past four years, the most influential artists of the past ten years. You have like, Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes, Nicolas Ghesquière, Anna Wintour, David Stern.”
“I think that’s a responsibility that I have, to push possibilities, to show people: “This is the level that things could be at.” So when you get something that has the name Kanye West on it, it’s supposed to be pushing the furthest possibilities. I will be the leader of a company that ends up being worth billions of dollars, because I got the answers. I understand culture. I am the nucleus.”
Feel feel to catch the full interview read over at NYTimes.