Exclusive Audio: Kanye West on Writing Rhymes on the Toilet, Johnny Cash

Rolling Stone Associate Editor Austin Scaggs sat down with Kanye West for one-half of the magazine's current cover story to discuss everything from writing raps in the bathroom to Bob Dylan. Here's a few choice bits of their interview:

West explains how his music reminds some people of Bob Dylan and discusses his interest in for Johnny Cash's "Boy Named Sue": "I need to get more into it [Dylan's music]. And Johnny Cash, people have said, 'you need to listen to this guy.'"

West explains how his song "Drunk & Hot Girls" is universal: "That song relates to everyone, because either the girl's a drunk and hot girl, or she was a drunk and hot girl at one point. That song is a life-defining song. I'm going to tell you some real shit. "Drunk & Hot Girls" is the realest song I ever wrote, and it represents me the most. Because at the end of the day, everything relates back to trying to do something for a girl."

West muses on the significance of his album facing off with 50 Cent's latest on a somber day in American history, September 11th: "I was a little worried about that day, because I didn't want to be offensive in any way to anyone, to act like I was neglecting that. But I think that people want to celebrate and have a good time and have something to uplift their spirits, and I believe that my music is inspirational, so it's the perfect album to come out on a date like that."

West elaborates about his favorite writing spots: "I write a lot of my good raps on the toilet. I'm sure many a rock star have said that before. You zone out, or in the shower, you start thinking of stuff."

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Song Stories

“Too Close”

Next | 1998

Next was formed in Minneapolis when the uncle of Terry "T-Low" and Raphael "Tweety" Brown, who was a gospel choir director, introduced the brothers to Robert Lavelle "R.L." Huggar. Sounds of Blackness singer Ann Nesby groomed the R&B group before handing them over to Naughty by Nature's KayGee, who wrote and produced "Too Close." The idea for the song was sparked "from a conversation we had with several girls at a nightclub," explained T-Low. "It's talking about the club scene, with guys getting out of hand and the female telling him to back up, asking, 'What are you doing?'" 

More Song Stories entries »

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