Kanye West claims he is the most intelligent rapper in the world.

The 31-year-old star refuses get drawn into hip-hop feuds because he would outwit all of his chart rivals.

He said: "I feel like if a rapper disses me, they're just trying to get a rise out of me and get me to play in their field to find some way that they can beat me. I feel like there are a lot of rappers that can beat me in ignorance. So why would I play a sport that I'm not particularly trying to get better at or beaten in? There's a lot of rappers that can beat me in ignorance, but there's only a few that can play with true intellect."

Despite his boast, Kanye is adamant he does not have an inflated opinion of himself and is only too happy to work with other artists - but only if they are "geniuses".

He said in an interview with Complex magazine: "The fact that I love to collaborate with people, I think, is a very non-arrogant thing. I absorb information, and I want people to know where the information is coming from so those people can be in a position for people to listen to them and capitalise off of the genius they bring to the table - because I only surround myself with geniuses."

Kanye also lashed out at people who think he is gay, claiming they only comment on his sexuality because he is so artistic.

He said: "I refuse to conform. A lot of these dudes would never be accused of being gay just because they all look exactly alike. I think people's mentality is like, 'Only gay people are that creative.' And it's true there are a lot of gay people who have incredible creative minds, but there are straight people who are incredible creative minds - and there are gay people who can't dress or create at all, too. Closed-minded gay people probably say they dress 'straight'."

(China Daily/Agencies, March 25, 2009)