Kanye West. Photo / Reuters

Kanye West. Photo / Reuters

Kanye West says Justin Timberlake is his nemesis.

The rapper believes the SexyBack singer is the only star that can both rival and inspire him.

"My biggest inspiration and biggest competition is Justin Timberlake," West told hip-hop magazine XXL.

"He is the only other person that gets an across-the-board response and respect both on black radio and white radio."

West says he and Timberlake are on a different level to everyone else and has compared their healthy rivalry to Prince and Michael Jackson's chart battle in the 80s.

He added: "If Justin hadn't come out and killed the game, I can't say that my album, singles and videos would be on the same level that they're on. We push each other. I look at me and Justin like Prince and Michael Jackson in their day."

The Grammy-award winner also insists he is not interested in record sales but instead concentrates on connecting with his fans.

He said: "I feel like my lyrics are, if not THE, then equal to, the realest lyrics out. I connected with so many people without talking about guns and drugs. It's harder to go to work 365 days than shoot a person in one day."

However, West realises his arrogance could hinder his chances of success.

He revealed: "When people come up to you like, 'That was really good,' you're supposed to play stupid, like, 'Wow, you really think so?'

"Because people can't really handle the truth. But I am the truth. I'd rather be hated for what I am than loved for what I'm not."

- BANG! SHOWBIZ