Kanye West claims Michael Jackson is the reason he made it in the music industry.
The 'New Slaves' rapper insists that he wouldn't have been successful if the late 'King Of Pop' hadn't pioneered the music industry in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Kanye says he would never have reached his now dizzying heights, and believes he has often faced "glass ceilings" as a black musician, fashion designer and businessman.
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Radio 1, the rapper said: "For me as Kanye West, I would not be Kanye West if it wasn't for Michael Jackson. Of course you know Michael Jackson had to fight to get his videos played because he was black, and Michael Jackson wasn't even black; he was Michael Jackson!"
"What Michael Jackson did with videos and the ground he
broke, there would be no Kanye West if it wasn't for Michael Jackson."
The 36-year-old rapper also addressed his critics, insisting his rants are the result of having his creativity suppressed.
He added: "People who have issues with me, they classify my motivational speaking as rants, well I've reached a point in my life where my showman boat ship has hit the painting, I've got to the point that Michael did not break down, I have reached the glass ceiling."
Kanye also declared his 2010 album, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' "could be considered perfect" and said he doesn't care if his ego alienates some of his fans.
Kanye said: "I know how to make perfect, but that's not what I'm here to do."
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