Last week, headlines in the build-up to the Video Music Awards speculated on the reason Taylor Swift would not be attending an event, where she normally takes centre stage in some way or other, and many gave it up to MTV giving Kanye West free reign in his speech.

Well, Taytay, the only mention of your name was when the VMA’s played Kanye West’s song Famous to introduce him on stage.

Kanye West used the time to introduce his new video for Fade, the closing song on his latest album The Life of Pablo. Unfortunately, although rated as one of the sexiest videos of all time, until it is not Tidal-exclusive, we will just have to listen to Kanye’s speech.

Before playing the video, Kanye spoke about his previous music video Famous, the shootings in the States and why he always talks about Steve Jobs. Watch here:

“I came here to present my new video, but before I do that, Imma talk.” – @kanyewest #VMAs https://t.co/ukVtlkcIsD

— MTV (@MTV) August 29, 2016

Here’s the full transcript, thanks to genius.

I am Kanye West, and that feels really great, especially to say this year. I came here to present my new video, but before that, I’ma talk. Now… Later tonight, “Famous” might lose to Beyoncé, but I can’t be mad—I’m always wishing for Beyoncé to win, so, you know! But for people to understand just how blessed we are. It was an expression of our now. Our fame right now. Us on the inside of the TV. You know, just to put… the audacity to put Anna Wintour right next to Donald Trump… I mean, like, I put Ray J in there, bruh! This is fame, bro! Like… I see you, Amber! My wife is a G, not a lot of people’s wives would let ’em say that! We came over in the same boat, now we all in the same bed. Well… maybe different boats but you know. If you think about it, last week, it was 22 people murdered in Chicago. You know like, people come to me like, “Man, that’s right! Tell Taylor to..”. Bro, like I love all y’all! That’s why I called her! So I was speaking at the Art Institute last year and one kid came up to me and said, “Three of my friends died and I don’t know if I’m gonna be the next.” And it has to… you know, you have to think like, you know when you’re a senior and it’s like the last month and you just don’t feel like doing anymore work? If you feel like you’re seeing people dying right next to you, you might feel like what’s the point? You know like, life could be like, start to feel worthless in a way. I know times for me, I sit down and talk to older, rich people, you know (AKA WHITE!) and uh… they tell me, “Don’t compare yourself to Steve Jobs, don’t compare yourself to Walt Disney.” And my friend Sekaya told me, “Ayy bruh bruh…”

They tell me don’t compare yourself to these people right? My friend Sekaya told me it’s three keys to keeping people impoverished; taking away their esteem, taking away their resources, and taking away their role models. My role models are artists, merchants. It’s less than 10 I can name in history. Truman, Ford, Hughes, Disney, Jobs, West

BRO!!!! BROOOOOO!!!

Tonight we’re here to have fun. I’m standing in front of my idol, Puff Daddy. I’m standing in front of my wife, Kim Kardashian West. I’m standing in front of the future, Chance The Rapper. 2 Chainz, Jaden Smith. Bro! We are undeniably the influence, the thought leaders. I’m gonna play y’all a piece of my art and I hope y’all have a good time.

I will always have this love / hate relationship with him.

[source:pitchfork]