Chicago rapper Kanye West recently took part in an interview with SHOWstudio, which touched on matters concerning race, his career in fashion, his desire to label himself a genius, and more.
When questioned about new music, Kanye shared his belief that the majority of what is considered popular in music today is based off of something he’s done in the last 10 years. He added that if something new sounds similar to what he’s done in the past, then it is “an extension of a new album,” in his opinion.
He then rattled down a list of artists who have inspired him throughout his music career. Among the artists he named were A Tribe Called Quest, Dr. Dre, and Jay Z.
“This is gonna be just a really truthful, straight-forward statement,” Kanye West said. “The majority of things that are popular now are really directly based on something that I’ve done over the past 10 years. You can pinpoint it…I think it’s amazing. I think I had a purpose. That was my purpose. To innovate. That’s what I’m trying to say. So, if you hear something that sounds similar to something that I’ve done before, that is an extension of a new album, for me…Also, I was heavily influenced by Radiohead and James Brown and Coldplay, J Dilla and Jay Z.”
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During his interview, Kanye also revealed why he feels the need to call himself a genius. According to the musician, he’d prefer to choose his own title rather than be labeled a “celebrity,” “nigger,” or “rapper.”
“Because otherwise, I’m called ‘celebrity.’ I’m called ‘nigger.’ I’m called ‘rapper,’” he said. “And when they use the word ‘celebrity,’ ‘nigger,’ or ‘rapper,’ it’s not in a positive way. And all those words can be used in an extremely positive way. ‘What’s up, my nigga?’ But that’s not the way it’s used. So, I have to define who I am. All of my aspirations are things that currently only 60-year-old white people do. So, I have to redefine and let people know exactly who I am.”
‘Ye also shared his belief that in the distant future, the majority of people will be a mixture of races.
“I see the future as people being mixed,” the rapper said. “I think that other races are really attracted to each other. And always have been because I believe that we’re meant to. But I think that we’re taught to not. I was taught to never bring a white girl home when I was eight-years-old. But I liked white girls. I liked black girls too, but I also liked white girls.”
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