Full of Baloney: Kanye West's Diana rant

Nov 17, 2008, 9:40 GMT

Kanye West think he is like Princess Di, and is the voice of his generation. EPA/JUSTIN LANE

Kanye West claims he is like the late Princess Diana.

The 'Stronger' rapper claims he is being hounded by photographers in the same way that Diana - who was tragically killed in a 1997 car crash as her driver tried to escape chasing paparazzi - was following his arrest for allegedly assaulting a photographer in Newcastle, England, last week.

Writing on his blog, the he wrote: "Regardless of how much light I put out, there are people working just as hard to only deliver darkness.

"If you listen to my music, how could I deliver so many positive, uplifting messages and be the monster I am sometimes painted to be.

"Let us not forget that the paps killed Princess Diana. The exploitation of my image is the problem."

Kanye - who was arrested for a similar incident at Los Angeles International Airport in September - is adamant the alleged attack was not his fault because the photographer hadn't asked his permission to take a picture.

The hip-hop star's rant continued: "I put my hand up to the camera in self-defence! Here's what happened... when I left the club, I was encountered by a thirsty paparazzi as usual. He felt he had more rights to my space than me, so I put my hand up to prevent him from taking my image.

"I didn't assault him but merely putting my hand up to cover his lens. I guess in all the commotion the camera scraped his nose.

"When will there be a law passed that simply enforces that someone has to ask to take a photograph of you?

"What should be illegal are pictures taken with the intent to sell, like drugs with the intent to sell? or crossing customs with enough merchandise to have the intent to sell."

The 31-year-old star was released without charge after being questioned by police in Newcastle.