Yeezus speaks.

Kanye West is the focus of the new issue of Paper magazine, the centerpiece of which is an essay, as told to Gabby Bess. Given the time and space to flesh out his thoughts that isn’t usually afforded him during concerts, radio interviews or award shows, West expands on what the American Dream means to him.

There’s plenty about his approach to innovation, teaching the next generation of musicians as much as he can, the problem with “fashion insiders,” the problems with pigeonholing and the meaning of life. He also lets the air out of the “hip-hop Illuminati” balloon.

“If there was actually an Illuminati, it would be more like the energy companies,” he explains. “Not celebrities that gave their life to music and who are pinpointed as decoys for people who really run the world.”

As for his recent interest in fashion, perhaps at the expense of music, he says “over 70 percent” of his focus is on apparel, and he’s just getting started: “I haven’t even given my College Dropout of clothing yet. We’re still on mixtapes.”

It’s an illuminating essay which you can read in full over at Paper.