Kanye West Quotes

I don't pay that much attention to sales figures or awards. To me, the big question is: 'Did you influence the next generation?' That's my goal.

Wayne's my man. I'm proud of him, he worked hard. You know with a lot of people, Wayne's been doing this for years. Wayne had a record deal before I had a record deal, you know what I'm saying? Even though Cash Money been our for 12, 13 years so you know, for him to come up for where he came up, it was all them, B.G, Juvie, Turk, everybody. To see him excel from all that and become one of the hottest people in the game, 10, 12 years later, I'm really proud of him. That's my lil' man.

It's an honor when someone writes for you. That means they can hear your voice in their head.

There are artists, true performers that have come before me who have been a big inspiration to me. I hope I do the same for others.

I'm flattered that other artists consider me a role model.

Thank you so much for supporting me from the day I stepped foot into the music industry. It really means something to me to have Maya Angelou speak on my behalf. It also means a lot to have Oprah on my speed dial!

I have enormous respect for Steve Johnson, and as I've told him, Feed was one of the inspirations for Salon. They were up there before we were. And also for Joey and the Suck people.

I considered Nat King Cole to be a friend and, in many ways, a mentor. He always had words of profound advice.

Even though I'm retired for some years now I still have something positive to say to kids. And they still listen.

He knows I rip him off every day. He's the godfather for me. Nobody can say they aren't influenced by what Stevie Wonder has done.

How much more must this be so in my own case for I am conscious not only of the great names and achievements of those who have preceded me, but also of the living presence of many of my masters and teachers.

People writing about me have said that I've influenced a lot of people, and there are some artists who have credited me with influencing them.

Every boy needs a role model that he can be proud of and talk about to the other kids in the playground.

It is still a surprise when people tell me that I've had an influence on them, particularly when it's someone I really respect.

Two of my biggest heroes were my father and John Wayne.

A lot of DJs who started the same time as me, they are not to be seen anymore. And I get so much love and respect from the young DJs, and some of them look up to me or ask me for advice. I am almost like the mentor.

I want people to recognize Luther Allison when I play.

I look at the careers of people I'm standing on the shoulders of. People like Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., and Sarah Vaughan. These are icons I wanted to emulate, and I feel like they've been holding me up for quite a long time.

When I went back to my old high school, all these kids looking at me like I'm the real big homie, the same way I look at Jay Z, Nas, or Dr. Dre. You would've thought Michael Jackson walked through that joint off the excitement that they had.

I always did have a kind of candle shining for Peter Green. I mean, he was my god.

It's really weird when you realize the people you look up to - who have influenced or inspired you - start to realize what you do.

First of all, I respect The Game. He's trail-blazed for artists like myself. I appreciate him, having - living in L.A. myself and knowing what he stands for and what he stood for.

I think it's a huge compliment from the younger guys understanding what I did for the game and wanting to represent me by wearing my shoes.

Shout out to my boy Guwop. We came in the game, and we learned from the best.

Robert Plant, Kenny Chesney, Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal, this incredible array of folks, all taught me a way to carry yourself with dignity.