I am Kanye West, the 39-year-old began, and it feels really good to say especially this year.
Read the full speech below.
Now, later tonight, Famous might lose to Beyonce but I cant be mad.
Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
You know, just to put… the audacity to put Anna Wintour right next to Donald Trump.
I mean, I put Ray J in there bro!
This is fame, bro!
Well, maybe different boats, but…
If you think about last week, there was 22 people murdered in Chicago.
Thats why I called her.
You have to think, when youre a senior, and you dont feel like doing any more work.
If youre seeing people dying next to you you might think, whats the point?
Life can start to feel worthless in a way.
And, uh, they tell me dont compare yourself to Steve Jobs.
Dont compare yourself to Walt Disney.
And my friend [J. Sakiya Sandifer], tells me, dont compare yourself to these people.
My role models are artists, merchants.
Tonight, were here to have fun.
Im standing in front of my idol Puff Daddy.
Im standing in front of my wife Kim Kardashian West.
Im standing in front of the future, Chance the Rapper.
We are undeniably the influence, the thought leaders.
Im gonna play yall a piece of my art.
And I just hope you all have a good time.
(West lost in that latter category to Calvin Harris.)
His wife Kim Kardashian was also apresenterat this years installment of the VMAs, set to introduce Britney Spears.
West, of course, has a storied history with the VMAs.
