Kanye West paid a visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live to bury the hatchet and talk creativity with the host following their recent well-publicized feud. Likely the first rap beef involving a TV personality, West initially declared war on Kimmel after a parody sketch aired on the show mocking his recent interview with the BBC's Zane Lowe. The slightly awkward and undoubtedly passionate conversation between West and host Jimmy Kimmel proved that their beef was in fact more than a publicity stunt; the pair admitted that they both took it "back to high school" - allowing things to get a little more tense than necessary. Kanye also explained the swag and passion that inform the stylistic decision to wear leather jogging pants - a particular item that Kimmel initially felt was absurd. Kanye also mentioned his distaste for the ways he is often portrayed in the media - an issue he felt he could address personally with Kimmel because of their prior acquaintance and friendship. Continuing, West broke down his feelings about the ongoing issues he has had with the media:
"The way the paparazzi talk to me and my family is disrespectful also, you know what I'm saying?" West said. "We bring something of joy to the world. When people hear my music they have a good time, and I should be respected as such when I walk down the street. Don't ask me a question about something you saw on the tabloids. Don't try to antagonize me, because it's not safe for you in this zoo, you know? Never think that I'm not from Chicago for one second."
The pair officially squashed things on air and even embraced but not before Kanye took the opportunity to address a number of issues related to his feelings about taste, culture, art and his own approach to life, which some consider a bit brash and obnoxious. He also issued a warning to anyone interested in approaching him incorrectly, before thanking Kimmel for the platform:
"It's about truth, it's bout information, it's about awesomeness ...taste, culture, art...just the quality of life. This is what I'm here to do. So when I compare myself to Steve Jobs, or Walt Disney, Howard Hughes, David Stern, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Jesus, I'm saying these are my heroes. These are people that I look up to. This is the type of impact I want to make on the Earth," he said."When people hear my music, they have a good time. And I should be respected as such when I walk down the street," West added, getting hyped. "Don't ask me a question about something you saw in the tabloids. Don't try to antagonize me. Because you know what — it's not safe for you in this zoo. Never think that I'm not from Chicago for one second!"
Check the footage below to watch the full chat with Kanye West on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
