Kanye West Knows How To Make Perfect – His Interview With Zane Lowe

Kanye West had us going for a minute there. After his mellow appearance on almost-mother-in-law Kris Jenner’s chat show last month, where he revealed the first photo of baby daughter North West, we all thought fatherhood might have softened him somewhat.

But the first part of his BBC Radio 1 interview with Zane Lowe that aired last night proved us all wrong; West is right back up there with his, let’s say, confidence.

“I’m not trying to regurgitate myself,” he said. “I showed people that I understand how to make perfect. You know, [My Twisted] Dark Fantasy could be considered to be perfect. I know how to make perfect, but that’s not what I’m here to do. I’m here to crack the pavement and make new grounds sonically… and culturally.”

Shy and retiring, as ever, Kanye.

He goes on to say that after six of his own albums, it’s time for him to “f**k sh*t up”. And that’s what he’s tried to do with latest record Yeezus, which Zane Lowe praises as “one of the most creative records of any genre I’ve heard in a very very long time”.

But what is most surprising about West, the man who seemingly has everything, is his frustration. He doesn’t just want to be top of his music game, but to be creative in other areas like innovating products, pinpointing water bottle design and architecture as particular areas of interest.

He reveals moments of sobering reality, however. “We’re all gonna die one day. So live like that, live like you could die tomorrow.”

That, he does. Proclaiming, “Rap is the new rock and roll. We the real rock stars and I’m the biggest of all of them.” We don’t think there’s anyone who could accuse you of not living life to the full, Kanye.

Catch the remaining three parts of Kanye West’s intriguing interview every night this week on BBC Radio 1, or watch the first part here: