Kanye West blamed “exhaustion” — not mental illness — on triggering a past breakdown, according to a new interview.
Asked by Piers Morgan whether he suffered from any form of mental illness, the embattled rapper said a past episode was caused by lack of sleep.
“I believe that I suffered from exhaustion. I suffered from being lied to constantly by the people around me, by my management, by my ex-wife and I believe those things can drive anyone to a point of maximum exhaustion,” West said — apparently referencing his 2016 hospitalization for a psychiatric emergency.
“But I also believe that I’m extremely brilliant and I’m here to make the world a better place. And I’m tired of the left media trying to pick on me,” West said on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” in a clip that aired Thursday.
West — who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder soon after the hospitalization — said he resents that his mental health history can be used to discredit him.
“When I bring up the truth, they’re gonna say you didn’t get enough sleep, it’s because of your health,” said West, 45.
At times during the two-hour interview, the exchange between The Post columnist and the “Eazy” rapper — who has previously referred to his bipolar disorder as a “superpower” — got bizarre.
“I am the black person with the black experience that’s worth $11 billion and is the most influential person on the planet and I am questioning it,” West said in a teased clip, though it wasn’t clear what Morgan had asked him.
When Morgan jumped in to guide the conversation, West began singing, “La la la la — let me finish.”
He later told Morgan he wanted to “interview him too” despite his clear role as an interviewee.
“You’re Bono; I’m interviewing you too,” West said with a grin, referring to the U2 singer.
During the interview, West also refused to apologize for his anti-Semitic rant last week, only saying he was “sorry to the people I hurt.”
Last year, the rapper’s ex, Kim Kardashian, said a series of West’s concerning tweets and public appearances over the years have likely been the result of his bipolar disorder.
Morgan’s full interview with West airs Friday.
