Kanye West On Breakfast Club 2013
This 2013 Breakfast Club interview with Kanye West had hosts DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne Tha God at Power 105.1 FM.
This interview occurred Occurring during his Yeezus album and Yeezus tour cycle while he was also working on making Yeezy's.
Summary
Introduction and Creative Vision
Kanye West began by explaining his perspective on his artistry, stating he sees himself broadly as a "creative," comparing his ambition to figures like Walt Disney and Michelangelo. He described rap as merely "a chamber of my thoughts," one aspect of a larger creative drive stemming from his art school background. West expressed that engaging in creation made him feel younger and more alive, linking different projects like Glow in the Dark and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to different stages of growth and feeling.
The Yeezus Album and Tour Experience
Discussing the recently released Yeezus album and its accompanying Yeezus tour, West described the tour's elaborate production, which included mountains and snow, as an effort to provide significant value beyond typical hip-hop shows. He explained the harsh, industrial sound of Yeezus, shown most by tracks like "On Sight" and "Black Skinhead," resulted from intense frustration with industry limitations. West said he intentionally stripped away conventional elements like choruses from much of the album, wanting listeners "to feel my pain." He acknowledged the album's divisive reception, directly engaging with Charlamagne Tha God who called the album whack, but defended it as an authentic expression, comparing its sonic impact to the visual shock of his facial injuries after his car accident ("Through the Wire").
Fashion Industry Frustrations and Corporate Battles
A major focus was West's strong desire to be recognized and operate within the high fashion and product design worlds, expressing exasperation with being confined to expectations of creating only "urban clothing lines." He detailed his significant conflict with Nike over his popular Yeezy sneaker line. West recounted Nike refusing to pay him royalties, telling him, "you're not a professional athlete, so you don't get no royalties," despite the shoe's cultural success. He cited the delayed release of the "Red October" Yeezy 2 as another example of the corporation "sunning me." West clarified that his criticism wasn't aimed at corporations wholesale, but at specific gatekeepers and decision-makers within them, like Bernard Arnault of LVMH, who he felt disrespected his creative value. He argued he needed corporate partnerships for their "facilities" to execute his "genius" ideas globally.
Views on Wealth, Influence, and Motivation
West argued that significant wealth, specifically achieving billionaire status, was necessary for true power, freedom, and influence in the modern world. He pointed out the disparity between the total number of billionaires globally (around 1,470 at the time) and the small number of Black billionaires (only seven, mentioning Oprah). Responding to Charlamagne's point about influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr. lacking great wealth, West contended that today, "you need to own something to have a voice" and avoid being controlled or dismissed. He connected this financial ambition directly to providing security for his family, including then-fiancée Kim Kardashian and daughter North West, stating they "ain't financially there yet" for the level of protection he envisioned.
Controversies, Relationships, and Future Aspirations
The interview addressed several controversies. West explained the intentionally artificial look of the "Bound 2" music video ("I wanted it to look as phony as possible") as a form of "performance art" commenting on media-presented imagery. He defended his use of the Confederate flag on tour merchandise, arguing "we can do whatever we want" with iconography. He also discussed industry relationships, citing Jay-Z as an idol and mentor whose techniques he studied during their Watch the Throne project, and acknowledging Dame Dash's vital early support. Looking ahead, West declared himself the "Tupac of product" and expressed ambitions to build a design empire bigger than Ralph Lauren or LVMH. He suggested his next musical project might be more accessible, comparing Yeezus to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska and hinting the follow-up could be his Born in the U.S.A..
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Event Date: November 26, 2013
