Kanye West's Zane Lowe 2013 BBC Interview
Kanye West talks about his album "Yeezus," how he creates music, and his struggles with the fashion industry. The conversation covers West's artistic vision, his thoughts on creativity, and his wish to move beyond music into other areas, especially fashion and design.
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Summary
Yeezus and Musical Evolution
Kanye West starts by discussing "Yeezus," saying it's very different from his earlier work. He explains that while "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" showed he could make "perfect" music, "Yeezus" is about breaking new ground in music and culture. West says he's not trying to make easy-to-listen-to music, but rather something that stirs strong feelings.
West reveals that Rick Rubin helped shape the final album, calling Rubin "a reducer" rather than a producer. He also mentions working with Daft Punk on songs like "Black Skinhead," which he created after being told he couldn't attend Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent fashion show.
Creative Collaboration
Throughout the interview, West highlights how important working with others is to his creative process. Unlike earlier in his career when he made tracks all by himself, he now prefers a group approach with many contributors. West says this way of working started with albums like "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" and "Watch the Throne," where bringing together talents like No I.D., Q-Tip, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj made the music better.
Fashion Industry Aspirations and Frustrations
A large part of the interview focuses on West's goals in fashion and the barriers he faces. He says that despite spending "80% of his time" on fashion over the past ten years, the established fashion world has pushed back against him. West talks about designing Nike Yeezys, which sold for high prices after release, but didn't lead to more chances with the company.
West mentions bringing "leather jogging pants" to Fendi six years before the interview and being turned down, only to see similar designs become popular later. He feels frustrated that he's limited to making t-shirts instead of full fashion lines, comparing his situation to hitting a "glass ceiling."
Cultural Impact and Recognition
West discusses his influence on culture, noting how he helped change men's fashion by wearing tighter jeans when it wasn't common in hip-hop. He mentions the South Park parody of him and suggests it actually helped advance fashion in urban communities. West also compares his struggles to Michael Jackson's, saying "there would be no Kanye West if it wasn't for Michael Jackson" breaking down racial barriers in media.
Throughout the interview, West expresses frustration that his contributions to culture aren't fully recognized, especially outside of music. He calls his public statements "motivational speeches" that critics often dismiss as "rants."
Personal Philosophy and Future Vision
West shares his approach to creativity and life, saying "live like you could die tomorrow" and "I always felt like I could do anything." He wants to help others and mentions his parents' influence – his father was a Black Panther and photographer who later worked with homeless people, while his mother was the first Black female chair of an English department.
West talks about his relationship with Kim Kardashian, thanking her for giving him "a family" and "a support system." He also speaks about wanting to make the world better for his daughter, North West, including changing how paparazzi work.
The interview ends with West emphasizing his commitment to creativity despite obstacles, describing himself as "a slave to my passion" and "a slave to my mission."
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Event Date: September 23, 2013
