"Patience is power," Confucius wrote. "With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes silk." Clearly Kanye West does not give a toss for Chinese proverbs: he's released three albums in four years, and already something new is on the way. But this time it's not a hot new single - it's a self-help book. And we already have our first sample of the wisdom Kanye wishes to impart.

"To most people," begins one of three preview pages that the rapper has released to his blog, "the saying 'to use someone,' carries a negative connotation. But I don't see it that way. To 'mis', 'over' or 'ab' use someone is negative. To use is necessary. And if you can't be used, then you're useless."

Each page includes an aphorism (or "Kanye-ism") in large, colourful block text, with a succinct explanation to its right.

"BE LEERY OF THE FREE GIFT BAG!" one page warns, explaining that "there are people who try to put themselves into a position where you'll owe them something".

In an explanatory blog post, Kanye says that the book captures "the creative, humorous and insightful philosophies and anecdotes used in creating my path to success. ... In Thank You and You're Welcome! I deliver my personal message uncensored, without any five-second delay or media distortion".                                                        

It is our pleasure to be doing what we can to ensure that media distortion continues unfettered.

Kanye West (Kanye Omari West) was born on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia, is an American record producer and rapper.

He has released his debut album The College Dropout, his second album Late Registration, and is working on a third album coming out in 2007 called Graduation.

Both The College Dropout and Late Registration have received numerous awards... read more...