Kanye Compares Himself to Michelangelo in Bonkers GQ Video

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A leaked behind-the-scenes video from Kanye West's GQ cover shoot made the rounds online today before it was yanked by Condé Nast. In the flashy one-minute black and white video, West compared himself to Michelangelo, name-dropped Picasso, tried on a ton of clothes, and really pulled off a pair of leather pants. Click through for a few screenshots from the video and the full transcript of West's speech about design and the true meaning of "genius level."

If you're given a voice, if you're given an opportunity to have a voice, you have to take that seriously. Out of appreciation for the opportunities given, for me, it's a fight. Most people are just satisfied with, 'It's good.' Most people are satisfied at like just a 10 or something. It's not just to stop at 10. Ten is ground zero. Perfection is ground zero. We need to take things to a genius level. That's when you do stuff that's perfect, that's past what's expected. That means it has to have not been done before.

But you know what the fuck I am talking about. I'm talking about Picasso. And this is what we have the opportunity to do. I can only create so much with this GQ shoot, but I am going to try the best i can, I'm going to re-tailor pants, put tones together in a certain way. I am going to be creative in my own space. You know, it's fine if people like me, it's fine if people, they dislike me. I'd rather take the chance of being hated to bring that type of creation to the world. Michelangelo decides he wants to sculpt, there could be a bunch of sculptors that are like, 'Ah no, you're a painter.' He's Michelangelo. And I am Kanye West.

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