Sept - Dec 2008 Edition 







 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 







Kanye West 






 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






We met up with Kanye West. 
Enjoy his views courtesy of TOSH Magazine. 







    





We must praise - Joss Moss. 











TOSH Mag: Hi Kanye. It is overwhelming for us at TOSH Mag to hold this meeting with you. It is simply a honour for us, our fans who would read this interview and of course your fans too. 













Kanye West: Brother the honour is all mine. I dig what you guys at TOSH Mag are doing. Keep it guys. (Kanye said he meant that for the video crew, behind the scene guys and the whole team) 













TOSH Mag: Well, that coming from you means so much. Thanks again and again. Straight to the interview, is it true that your middle name is 'Omari'? 













Kanye West: You guys did your homework alrite! Yeah, thatz me. 













TOSH Mag: Thank you Kanye. Where I come from (Nigeria), each name does have a specific meaning. What is the meaning of Omari? 













Kanye West: Omari is an arabic name meaning someone who prospers and is full of life. 














TOSH Mag: Interesting. I see why you are definately full of life. Names are very powerful aren't they? They actually steer one to their destiny. 














Kanye West: Yeah, you can say that again. I like the deepness in things and the richness. To me these factors are key ones. 














TOSH Mag: I agree with you. It is amazing that some of your fans are unaware of your producing skills. This actually is your foundation. Am I right? 








 







Kanye West: Yes you are a 110% right there. Some people try to kick my achievement under the carpet. I call them playa haters. But you can not hide a lamp under a bed for long coz (because) it would shine. I actually gained fame by producing hit singles for a few top artists like Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Talib Kweli, Cam'ron, Paul Wall. Common, Mobb Deep, Jermaine Dupri, Scarface, The Game, John Legend among others.  


















TOSH Mag: A Few top artists? That is certainly more than a few! 








 







Kanye West: (Kanye laughs). Yeah right, more than a few then. 

















TOSH Mag: A Few top artists? That is certainly more than a few! 













TOSH Mag: I personally did not know you produced that many world class artists myself. I'd rather be sincere. This is absolutely amazing. 








 







Kanye West: My head is swelling up now! Nah man, itz cool as I do enjoy producing. My style often utilizes pitched-up vocals, usually from soul songs with my own drums and instruments. 

















TOSH Mag: I am really enjoying this interview I must say. How many instruments do you play by the way? 








 







Kanye West: I would say vocals, sampler, synthesizer, the keyborad and percussions. Yeah, I love my percussions. 














TOSH Mag: Who would you say influenced this unique style of yours? 




































Kanye West: Hmmm. I would say RZA (the producer of Wu-Tang Clan). 

















TOSH Mag: Didn't know you are were a fan of Wu-Tang Clan? 













Kanye West: Was I? I'm still one! I mean Wu-Tang rappers like GF and ODB were some of my all time favourites. I still think that Wu-Tang made a massive impact as a group and global voice piece. I mean I just love 'em menn. 













TOSH Mag: I see. Well. let us go down the memory lane. Back to 'The Blueprint' in 2001. Can you narrate your insight about this project with your fans and TOSH Mag readers? 








 







Kanye West: Sure. I featured on 'The Blueprint' (Jay Z's album in September, 2001). My work was heavily used for 'Izzo', 'Takeover' and 'Heart of City' (Ain't No Love). 













TOSH Mag: I clearly remember that 'Takeover' was a diss track against Mobb Deep and Nas.  








 







Kanye West: Yeah but I had since then worked with them both. Back in the days I had to do what I had to do but things have changed now. 













TOSH Mag: Was it frustrating when you became a top producer but could not get a record deal? What advice can you give to those new in the game in order to breakthrough just like you did? 








 







Kanye West: Just be yourself, and be strong in your mind. To survive in this game, you definately have to be strong mentally. I mean, inspite working with Jay-Z, Roc-A-Fella was reluctant to support me as a rapper. Many record companies pushed me aside because they saw me as a producer first and not a rapper and I did not potray the so called 'street image' that was required in the game. 


However, I do believe in myself and never give up. I just said to myself, 'Menn, you gatta work harder till you have things your way'. And I did.  













TOSH Mag: Certainly, you did! I don't like doing this but I've got to ask you about your mother's death. I strongly believe that some people out there might draw strength from your experience especially orphans. Can you share with us anything about this experience? 













Kanye West: (Kanye pauses for a while). Well I still miss my mother and will always love her. I remember my first concert after her death (At the O2 in London). That was 12 days after she passed on. It was so hard concentrating on my music and I felt like packing it in. But I knew she would not like that but would rather I waxed stronger and stronger. I actually dedicated my performance of 'Hey Mama' and 'Don't stop believing' to her. Losing my ma' is like losing my leg and walking through it. It brings immense pain when I talk about this experience but this might actually help others out there who lost someone they love. I am stronger now but it was not easy. 


You just have to grow stronger and stronger. You can not afford to give up. 










TOSH Mag: Thank you so much in sharing your pains with us. We would actually get stronger just like you. Just one more question. After losing all the 5 awards you were nominated for at the 2007 MTV Music awards, you won 4 Grammy's afterwards. What is the next thing you want to do on your ticked and unticked list?  What should your fans expect from you in 2009? 









 







Kanye West: I am planning to open 10 Fatburger restaurants in Chicago this year (2008) and the second - next year (2009). That has been one of my life-long ambitions. I am also planning to release my personal clothing line in 2009. 










TOSH Mag: Amazing. What would your restaurants and clothing line be called? 








 







Kanye West: We are still concluding on the name for the Fatburger restaurants but the clothing line would be called 'Past Tell'. So watch out for it. 










TOSH Mag: Well Kanye, we would love to carry on interviewing you but you are a very busy man. Thank you so much for this opportunity to share your views and life with you. Our fans and readers would love this. Promise us you would appear on our TV magazine show when it is launched! 













Kanye West: I dig what you guys do! Believe it or not but I'm one of your fans too. I do promise to appear on your show one of these days. It would be a pleasure. Keep it real!