Kanye West: The Trendsetter →

This is a very fascinating interview with Kanye West. There are a few quotes (especially the last one about Steve Jobs) that can be taken out of context. When Kanye compares himself to Jobs, I think he is doing it out of a tremendous respect.

Earlier in the interview he talks about compromise, about how he on some albums was only 80%. The other 20% was compromise. He doesn't want that. He thought that Steve Jobs was in control of 100%. And for Kanye, this is the absolute goal. He doesn't want to be controlled. While he may have the perception of erratic and strange behavior (Taylor Swift incident, President Bush incident, etc.), he knows that's just the path to him becoming his best self. He wanted to fight for Beyonce. He wants to fight for what he believes is true and right.

His goal is to become 100%, because he believes he is right in all he does. He believes he is a trendsetter, and that he can lead the creation of new culture. Kanye aims to do with rap music and soon fashion what Steve Jobs did with the iPod and iPhone. He wants to set the new standard and transform the normal. As he says, he wants to break though the glass ceilings. He can "create more for this world."

His track record would say he can create more, and I think this is one of the purest goals of any artist. In a world more full of ways to consume, Kanye West wants to create.

– Via Kottke

# | 06/16/2013 5:28 a.m.