Kanye West spoke with the Oxford Guild Society in March, and the video of his presentation was released yesterday (December 7).
In his speech, West discusses his personal inspirations and details the importance of collaboration.
“One of my biggest problems, one of my biggest Achille’s heels has been my ego,” the rapper says to the audience. “And if I, Kanye West, the very person, can remove my ego, I think there’s hope for everyone.”
He says that Drake is someone who helped him readjust his way of thinking.
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“I think that that’s been a progression of mind with the advent of a human being named Drake,” West says. “You know, this idea of holding onto a #1 spot. And then you get this guy that comes and blows out the water every #1 of any band ever. Be it me or Paul McCartney. And at the point, you know, when you’ve lost the idea of holding onto that concept, you can leave the mountaintop finally, and walk down, and readjust, and see what your position on earth can be.”
The Toronto rapper passed The Beatles last year and now has the eighth-most for the eighth-most songs of all time on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. In March, he tied the group’s record for most singles charting at a time with 14. Drake has now had 100 songs that have reached the chart.
Kanye West won Best Rap Album at the 2011 Grammy Awards for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The next year, Drake took home the award with Take Care.
West says that his transformation is evident on his 2013 album, Yeezus, and that he has found a clear sense of purpose.
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“I’ve had all of these mixed emotions, mixed feelings, based off you know, bigotries, walls, perceptions that I’ve had to deal with,” West continues. “Ones that drove me to titles like ‘Black Skinhead’ or ‘I Am A God.’ Now I understand that I’m a servant. And with my voice, and with the information and my ability to build relationships with amazing people, speak to amazing people.”
To read a transcipt of the speech, visit The Gateway Online.
For additional Kanye West coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
