In a recent appearance on The Ellen Show, Twitter legend Kanye West gave the beloved comedian and host an eight-minute monologue of everything that was on his mind—you know, like he usually does but without the 140-character limit.
It was especially important that he get this stuff off his chest since Kanye’s reality TV star wife Kim Kardashian is looking into the possibility of appointing an executive board to approve all of his tweets before he posts them.
As members of the media (who are always down for a good Kanye-ism), we strongly advise against this, Kim. Who, if not Kanye, would we turn to for life lessons like these? Here’s what we learned from what was quite possibly Kanye’s last interview on daytime television.
1. Practice makes perfect
The more you do something, the better you become at it—makes perfect sense. So when asked about the possibility of having more children with wife Kim K., Kanye said that he’s happy to keep practicing for now.
2. Live life with no regrets
Ellen, laughing charmingly: “Have you regretted anything that you’ve tweeted?”
Kanye, shaking his head assertively: “Nope!”
And isn’t that a lesson for us all in self-confidence?
3. Giving back is important
Regardless of who you are or where you are in life, you can help someone less fortunate than yourself—even if you’re $53 million in debt. Kanye says, “If I had more resources, I could help more people.” The star claims that he has ideas that “could make the human race existence within our 100 years better—period.”
4. It’s ok to ask for help
And not just from Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO… on Twitter.
5. Put some dope shit in it
No one knows what it means but it’s provocative. It gets the people going.
6. Diversify your talents and step out of your comfort zone
Kanye explains that we’re in a renaissance period, which for him means that we’re living in a time when people are encouraged to have more than one profession. Put the same amount of energy and passion into everything that you do and you could do great things, like he did when he transitioned from music to fashion.
7. Being popular isn’t all there is to it
Kanye says that he doesn’t care if he’s likable or not. He cares that he’s connecting to his audience, that he’s making valuable contributions to society. Like Picasso or Steve Jobs.
8. Build each other up instead of putting each other down
Or as Ellen would say, be kind to one another. In case you’ve forgotten, Kanye says, “we’re a blip in the existence of the universe!” We have to work together to eliminate inequalities and injustices like racism and classism.
Being a self-proclaimed philosopher—and, unrelated, “the Michael Jackson of apparel,” Kanye declares, “I see the importance and the value of everyone being able to experience a more beautiful life.” And that, he says, is all he’s really fighting for.
“Sorry for the realness.” Kanye out.