Kanye: 'I am the smartest celebrity you've ever dealt with'

Kanye West says he is 'not Britney Spears'. Photo/Getty

Kanye West branded himself the smartest celebrity during his recent deposition in the US.

The hip-hop star was convicted of misdemeanour battery stemming from a clash with snapper Daniel Ramos at Los Angeles International Airport in July, 2013, and he was ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and attend anger management classes.

Ramos is now pursuing a civil action against West, and the rapper recently sat for a deposition as part of the ongoing case.

A transcript from the deposition has now been obtained by TMZ.com and reveals West branded himself the "smartest celebrity you've ever f****** dealt with," adding, "I'm not Britney Spears".

He went on to compare the problems facing modern celebrities to the persecution of African-Americans during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

"I mean in the '60s people used to hold up 'Die N*****' signs when my parents were in the sit-ins ... I equate it (being famous) to discrimination. I equate it to inequalities... We, as a group of minorities here in LA, 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," West ranted.

In May, West addressed similar issues during his lengthy wedding speech after marrying reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

- WENN