Kanye West compares himself to Steve Jobs

Image
Press Trust of India New York
Last Updated : Jun 14 2013 | 6:05 PM IST
Kanye West believes he is a trend-setter and so "credible and influential" that he can change things like Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
The 36-year-old rapper, whose sixth solo album 'Yeezud' releases next week, has made some tall claims in a New York Times interview.
"I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means. I am undoubtedly, you know, Steve of Internet, downtown, fashion, culture. Period. By a long jump.
"I honestly feel that because Steve has passed, you know, it's like when Biggie passed and Jay-Z was allowed to become Jay-Z," said the rapper, who is expecting his first child with Reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
In another such bizarre comment, the singer said, "I think that's a responsibility that I have, to push possibilities, to show people: 'This is the level that things could be at'. So when you get something that has the name Kanye West on it, it's supposed to be pushing the furthest possibilities. I will be the leader of a company that ends up being worth billions of dollars, because I got the answers. I understand culture. I am the nucleus."
The rapper said he did not regret snatching the mic from Taylor Swift during the MTV Video Music Awards, which even prompted an unfavourable comment from President Barack Obama.
West said his apology was a mistake.
"Yeah, I think that I have like, faltered, you know, as a human. My message isn't perfectly defined. I have, as a human being, fallen to peer pressure."
West's remarks have been slammed by major media outlets in the US. Entertainment Weekly said the interview was "a breathtaking study in the art of narcissism" while Us Weekly wrote: One flaw Kanye West clearly doesn't have is low self-esteem."
New York Post went further by calling his comments 'dumb' and even compiling the 10 best things he said in the interview.
"While no one has ever accused West of being modest, he recently rambled absurd bon mots like how he's the successor to Steve Jobs and is the Michael Jordan of music," Post wrote.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 14 2013 | 6:05 PM IST

Next Story