Kanye West Is On Fire for the Cover of Interview Magazine

We all know that Kanye West is a fiery figure in hip-hop, but the folks at Interview magazine photographed him on fire (well, not actually) for the cover of its February 2014 issue.

For the publication, which describes Yeezy as "pop’s firestarter," he was interviewed by director Steve McQueen, whose film, ’12 Years a Slave,’ recently garnered nine Oscar nominations.

In the lengthy interview, the 'New Slaves' rapper discusses a myriad of topics including his near fatal car accident in 2002, his sonic paintings (aka "his music"), fatherhood, his linage as a creative Gemini (like Prince, Biggie and Tupac) and the obstacles he faces as he tries to launch his new clothing line.

Although West is often ridicule for being eccentric, the 36-year-old artist vows he will continue to speak his mind and create in pop culture.

"Too many people are scared. But it is my job to go up every night and talk about this kind of s---. It is actually my job," he says. "I’m like a broadcaster for futurism, for dreamers, for people who believe in themselves."

"We've been taught since day one to stop believing in our own dreams," he continues. "We've had the confidence beaten out of us since day one, and then sold back to us through branding and diamond rings and songs and melodies -- through these lines that we have to walk inside of so as to not break the uniform or look silly or be laughed at. So I hope that there are people out there laughing. Laugh loud, please. Laugh until your lungs give out because I will have the last laugh."

Photographer Steven Klein also took some eye-popping photos of West wearing some interesting masks and in one photo, appear to be covered in ash.

The new issue of Interview magazine, with a fiery Kanye West on the cover, will arrive on newsstands this week.

Meanwhile, over the weekend in Paris, West introduced his Fall/Winter 2014 collection with French brand A.P.C.

The response to his second fashion collection didn’t go so well with some of the critics.