Kanye West's epic speech about love, racism and self-expression

The Yeezus rapper raised eyebrows at the ceremony last month when it was revealed he talked about his wife Kim Kardashian dating “broke black dudes”.

But now the ceremony has aired on TV in the US, showing Kanye taking to the stage to accept his Visionary Award after watching a video of his friends and colleagues praising his work.

Kanye said: “I understand – maybe for the first time in my life – how it is to feel humbled.”

But he was not too humbled to deliver one of his usual lengthy, preaching speeches, in which he said he wanted “to focus on the idea of love and not the idea of separation”.

The musician and fashion designer said: “I want to say that my wife has dated broke black dudes. So it ain’t got nothing to do with the money.”

The 37-year-old father to baby daughter North also addressed the subject of racism and materialism.

He said: “The micro of it is that we focus on different races, as opposed to the macro of it, which is the human race.”

Kanye also said: “It’s the mentality – the slave mentality – we all eventually become slaves to that car, slaves to the perception, slaves to the idea of being cool.

“Our oil is our expression, is our influence. Don’t ever let them take that away.”

Kim posted a supportive message on Instagram as the speech aired, saying: “Watching Kanye’s speech at the BET Honors made me smile! He is so deserving of this visionary award! I’m so proud of him #MyHeartSmiles4Him.”

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Kanye may be set to perform a joint concert with Rihanna.

The pair have collaborated together in the studio, including on the song FourFiveSeconds with Sir Paul McCartney.

Live Nation in Finland recently posted a show billed as “Kanye & Rihanna”, set to take place on July 25 in Tallinn, Estonia, with tickets listed to go on sale on March 5. The post has since been removed.

Rolling Stone magazine said spokespeople for Kanye, Rihanna and Live Nation did not immediately reply to requests for comment.