Kanye West This article is more than 13 years old

Kanye West: 'I contemplated suicide'

This article is more than 13 years oldRapper promises he 'will not give up on life again', saying he feels a responsibility to be a 'soldier for culture'

Kanye West considered taking his own life several times in the past, he has claimed.

The rapper made the admission at a US screening of his new short film, Runaway, but added he now feels a responsibility to be a "soldier for culture".

West did not go into specifics about when and why he was plagued by such thoughts, saying simply, "there were times that I contemplated suicide", before adding: "I will not give up on life again. There's so many people that will never get the chance to have their voice heard. I do it for them."

The hip-hop star made Runaway as a companion piece to his new album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The film is narrated by rising rap star Nicki Minaj and features West playing a character called Griffin, who is portrayed on the album's artwork. This week he claimed it had been banned by retailers.

According to the Associated Press, the 33-year-old said that after a "long hard year" he has found his "creative sweet spot" by "(thinking like) a five-year-old at all times".

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is released on 22 November.

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