Kanye West has referred to himself as the "the smartest celebrity" and compared his battle with paparazzi to African Americans fighting for civil rights in the 1960's.
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A transcript of West's recent deposition in his ongoing civil lawsuit stemming from a July 2013 scuffle with photographer Daniel Ramos has been obtained by TMZ.
Kim Kardashian's new husband, who is being sued by Ramos for assault and battery, swore under oath, "I'm the smartest celebrity you've ever f-cking dealt with. I'm not Britney Spears."
West has been accused of beating the photographer and smashing his camera in Los Angeles International airport. Ramos had recorded video footage of the incident at the time.
The rapper reportedly explained to Ramos' lawyer Nate Goldberg, "I'm in the business of trying to make dope sh-t for the world. You're in the business of representing scums and trying to make as much money as long as there's this lapse in the law."
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According to TMZ, West also claimed there's a parallel between celebrities fighting for their rights against the paparazzi today and African Americans fighting for civil rights in the 1960s.
"I mean in the '60s people used to hold up 'Die N-gger' signs when my parents were in the sit-ins also... Yes, 100... I equate it to discrimination. I equate it to inequalities," West told Goldberg.
"We, as group of minorities here in LA, as celebrities have to ban together to influence guys like this -- guys trying to take the picture, guys trying to get the big win, guys trying to get the check."
In addition, Goldberg questioned West about the lyrics to his song "Flashing Lights," which clearly bashes the paparazzi.
Goldberg reportedly quoted one of the verses by reciting, "Till I get flashed by the paparazzi, damn, these n-ggas got me."
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West then slammed the lawyer for saying the "n-word" aloud.
"You have to ask for a hall pass. You can't just say the 'n' word around me. It offends me because you're a white person saying 'n-gga,'" West said, according to TMZ.
As far as West's criminal case goes, he had struck a plea deal back in March and was sentenced to two years of probation, 250 hours of community service and 24 sessions of anger management counseling. The rapper had pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski