Kanye West said this week his inroad into the world of high fashion was hampered by people looking to discriminate against him for his heterosexuality.
West was at times hard to comprehend Tuesday during an in-depth interview with fashion website SHOWstudio, but in regards to breaking into the fashion industry, the “Black Skinhead” rapper was focused on his message that people have not taken him seriously.
“I feel like I got discriminated in fashion for not being gay,” said Kanye, who recently unveiled the second season of his Yeezy clothing line.
“In music, you definitely get discriminated in music if you are gay. It takes amazing talents to break down barriers,” West told Lou Stoppard, citing the success of recording artist Frank Ocean, who came out as gay in 2012.
“The people that break the stereotypes make history,” added Kanye.
The successful rapper also complained of others laughing at his attempt to crossover into fashion.
“They were definitely f—king not letting me in the shows and laughing at me,” he said, also noting that he was not considered a force to be reckoned with until big industry figures took him in.
“People can want so many things out of you, you want to deliver genius and prove people wrong and prove people right who are fighting for you,” said Kanye.
The fashion designer also commented on Bruce Jenner’s gender transition, and said there was a time he was concerned black radio hosts would joke about Jenner’s transition to Caitlyn.
“The black culture is so homophobic,” he said. “F—k what people say, f—k what people think, I just feel proud to be in a family that has so many people breaking ground for the generations to come,” Kanye said of Bruce Jenner and the rest of the Kardashian/Jenner family.”
Kanye said reality TV is an “art form,” noting, “my wife and family should have so many Emmys by now.”