In March, Kanye West gave an address to the Oxford Guild Society, an Oxford University student group that bills itself as the “largest and oldest student careers society” in the U.K. West’s speech drew a crowd — and substantial intrigue from those who weren’t part of it.
On Monday, the Oxford Guild posted to YouTube footage of West’s address. He began by asking his audience to keep quiet while he spoke — “I can literally hear a whisper and it’ll, like, throw off my stream of consciousness” — in the interest of him delivering the “illest quotes.”
In the address, which was scheduled for 20 minutes but ran closer to 40, he extemporaneously touched on a host of topics: his creative process, the arts at large, his family and designer clothing.
“This humanity that I talk about, this civilization that I talk about, this future utopia idea that I talk about — it can only happen through collaboration,” he said.
Watch the entire speech above.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's Relationship, As Told In Pictures
Ah, Sept. 25, 2007: Even though Kimye's friendship began in 2004, this was the very first time the two posed together in public. Sure they were "just friends"—Kanye was at the store Intermix's grand opening with his former fiancé and Kim was dating Reggie Bush— but pictures don't lie. That is one couple begging for a lifetime of being photographed next to each other. Chris Weeks—WireImage/Getty ImagesIn February 2009, Kim and Kanye were spotted sitting almost next to each other at the Y-3 show during New York Fashion Week. Kim was with boyfriend Bush. Later that week, Kanye outed his relationship with model Amber Rose.Mike Coppola—FilmMagic/Getty ImagesKimye became an official romantic thing in April 2012—there had been rumors that they were sneaking around when Kim was still married to Kris Humphries, but no matter. In May the couple was photographed in Cannes before the premiere of the rapper's 30-minute short film Cruel Summer.Mike Marsland—WireImage/Getty ImagesHow's this for a double date? Kimye sat next to Mr. and Mrs. Carter (all hail queen Bey) at the BET awards in July 2012.Christopher Polk—Getty ImagesThe fashionistas went to Paris Fashion Week in September 2012.Michel Dufour—WireImage/Getty ImagesCome October 2012, the couple were spotted dressed up as Batman and Catwoman for Halloween. Because leather.Alexander Tamargo—Getty ImagesKanye announced that Kim was pregnant at a December 2012 concert. That probably helped secure the Feb. 2013 cover of L'Officiel Hommes. L'Officiel HommesIn April 2013, a very pregnant Kim finally got her pesky divorce with Kris Humphries fully sorted. David McNew—Getty ImagesKimye had a chance to celebrate the divorce for May's Met Gala. Kim wore a dress that was very memorable—for obvious reasons. Jamie McCarthy—Getty ImagesAnd baby makes three. Come June, North West (get it?) was born! @kimkardashian via InstagramKanye decided to take Beyonce's wise words to heart: he put a very large ring on it after an uber-elaborate surprise engagement at AT&T Park in October as Kim's birthday surprise.@kimkardashian via InstagramBut no engagement is finalized until you star in a supremely awkward music video together. Here's a shot for Kanye's classic-in-the-making: "Bound 2." We imagine this is how they will come down the aisle.VevoKimye set their wedding date in March and celebrated on the cover of Vogue.Mario Testino—VogueThis is Kimye's version of pre-wedding sweatpants in Paris before their fashion-forward nupitals at Forte di Belvedere in Florence in May 2014, where Kim wore a Givenchy Haute Couture gown.Jacques Brinon—APThe king and queen of couture attend the 2015 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City—just weeks before they would announce that Kim is pregnant again.Taylor Hill—FilmMagic/Getty Images
