KANYE West has allegedly declared himself the "smartest celebrity you've ever f***ing dealt with".
Kim Kardashian's husband is reported to have made the boastful claim in a deposition stemming from a recent lawsuit where he was accused of assaulting a paparazzi photographer and smashing his camera.
In a transcript obtained by the website TMZ, Kanye allegedly bragged about his own intellect - while slamming pop star Britney Spears in the process.
He is claimed to have told the photographer's lawyer Nate Goldberg: "I'm the smartest celebrity you've ever f***ing dealt with. I'm not Britney Spears.
"I'm in the business of trying to make dope s**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."
The 37-year-old rapper went on to liken his every move being captured by paparazzi to the civil rights movement.
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"I mean, in the '60s people used to hold up 'Die n****r' signs when my parents were in the sit-ins also," he allegedly explained.
Asked by Goldberg if he equates the plight of celebrities today to African-Americans' fight for civil rights, North West's dad reportedly said: "Yes, 100 (per cent) ... I equate it to discrimination. I equate it to inequalities."
The New Slaves rapper feels celebrities are "minorities" and have become targets for photographers trying to earn a quick dollar.
"We, as group of minorities here in L.A., as celebrities, have to ban together (sic) to influence guys like this - guys trying to take the picture, guys trying to get the big win, guys trying to get the check," TMZ quotes Kanye as saying.
The lawsuit comes after the star got into an altercation with photographer Daniel Ramos in Los Angeles in July 2013. While Kanye reached a plea deal in criminal proceedings, he still faces civil action from Ramos.
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