Kanye West says not smiling makes him smile.

Kanye West - smiling makes him smile because he thinks it looks "cool" not to sport a broad grin.

The rapper is famous for often looking glum in pictures but he thinks that looks "cooler" because sombre people in history books always look better than they would if they sported a broad grin.

He said: "Back when I was working on 'Yeezus', I saw this book from the 1800s and it was velvet-covered with brass and everything.

"I looked at all these people's photos and they look so real and their outfits were incredible and they weren't smiling and people, you know the paparazzi, always come up to me, 'Why you not smiling?' and I think, not smiling makes me smile...When you see paintings in an old castle, people are not smiling cause it just wouldn't look as cool."

The 37-year-old star went on to express his belief that fashion is part of God's work.

Speaking at the inaugural Daily Front Row Los Angeles Fashion Awards at the Sunset Tower Hotel, he said: "In my opinion, God is the number one creator, and anytime we create, we're an extension of doing his work on earth.

"That's why we're here. What can we do for humanity? And you know, in a way, fashion is what defines the time.

"Everyone has some form of fashion every single day. We have the power to change the world. I believe that through design, because design is the closest to truth, problem solving truth is the closest to love, and love is the closest thing to God, and God is love."

The 'Stronger' hitmaker spoke for almost eight minutes but at the end of his speech, he admitted to the assembled guests - which included the likes of Katy Perry, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus - he was unsure whether he had said anything of note.

He said: "I don't know if I even made one fucking good point."

He then smiled.

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