Kanye West wants to be better than Elvis Presley

Washington, Nov 28 : Kanye West left a lasting impression on the American Music Awards audience by proclaiming that he wants to be Elvis Presley. And now the rapper has taken his ambition a step further.

"When I said the statement, 'I want to be Elvis,' I really should have thought that out more because that statement was actually really incorrect. Actually, the true statement was 'I want to be better than Elvis,' " E! Online quoted West, as saying.

And now some industry insiders have given their opinion if West has what it takes to get anywhere near Presley.

"Kanye is one of the biggest hip-hop stars in the world right now. But I do believe he has delusions of grandeur," E! Online quoted Emil Wilbekin, editor-in-chief of urban lifestyle magazine Giant, as saying.

"I think Kanye is hugely self-absorbed, and I think that he thinks he could be bigger than Elvis. Kanye is very much concerned with how big he could be, how much music he can make and how many awards he could win," Wilbekin added.

Hillary Crosley, R andB/hip-hop correspondent for Billboard, says it's that oversize ego that's propelled him to the top of his game.

"People find it so amusing that he takes it so seriously. If he didn't have the ego, he wouldn't make it as far as he has," Crosley said.

Cory Cooper, a noted Elvis historian, says he's impressed with West's goals, but he needs a reality check.

"Even though Mr. West has a fantastic idea of what he aspires to become, he nor any other performer, past, present or future will ever accomplish Presley's unparalleled career. Elvis stands alone. With all due respect to Mr. West, Elvis Presley is not called 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll' for nothing," Cooper writes in an email.

ANI