Summary
Creative Evolution and Vision
In this interview,
Kanye West discusses his transition from being a "perfectionist" to a "solutionist," focusing on collaboration rather than micromanagement. He describes seeking out talented people across various creative fields and valuing input from younger generations. When questioned about surreal elements in his
music video for
Bound 2, Kanye explains his desire to create dreamlike, unrealistic aesthetics, comparing himself more to "Willie Wonka" than Steve Jobs. He addresses his business challenges, including leaving Nike over royalty issues, and expresses frustration with luxury brands' reluctance to work with him despite his cultural influence.
Media, Perception, and Social Commentary
Kanye criticizes media misrepresentation, claiming they attempt to diminish him to prevent others from believing in themselves. He frames his controversial public statements as selfless actions taken on behalf of others, saying "It's not about me, it's about you." The interview touches on themes from his song
"New Slaves", where he discusses modern forms of enslavement including mental constraints and the prison system. When asked about his
feud with Jimmy Kimmel and former President Obama's
"jackass" comment, Kanye responds with relative equanimity, acknowledging hiring someone to create memes in the former case and suggesting Obama was simply trying to relate to pop culture in the latter.
Cultural Impact and Relationships
West highlights the cultural significance of the Kardashian family, comparing their normalization of interracial relationships to how "The Cosby Show" helped mainstream the image of middle-class Black families. He expresses interest in challenging social norms and "taking power" from harmful symbols and language, while praising
Drake for addressing hip-hop homophobia and promoting respect for women. The interview concludes with Kanye receiving gifts from the hosts, including battery-operated lights, which he mentions telling his daughter are simply "lights we do all year long" rather than Christmas decorations.*There may be errors on this page.