Kanye West chosen by God

Kanye West's "greatest pain in life" is not being able to watch himself perform because he is "God's vessel".

The 'Stronger' rapper believes he has been chosen to have such superior musical ability and his only regret is being unable to see himself on stage.

He said: "God chose me. He made a path for me. I am God's vessel.

"But my greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live."

Despite his divine calling, Kanye has also branded himself an "a*shole" for his previously homophobic attitudes.

He told TV show 'VH1 Storytellers': "If a black man from Chicago was taught to stand far away from gay people because he didn't want to be accused of being gay. What would happen if he'd run into a gay man? What's the talk? What would he learn, what would I learn? I learned that people in Chicago were wrong and I had been an a**hole all along."

The 31-year-old star acknowledges he has a big ego, but doesn't believe he should be criticised because he always praises himself rather than slams rivals.

He explained: "I do have an ego and rightfully so. I think people should have an ego.

"Think about it – I don't offend people, I don't put anyone down. Do I name names or bring people down? That's not my thing. But I give myself big-ups. I feel good about the music I make."