Kanye West On 60 Minutes (partially found CBS Interview featuring Kanye West, 2008)

Kanye West making "dope ass beat"

Status: Partially found

Tags: kanye west 60 minutes cbs

Kanye West’s appearance on *60 Minutes* with Bob Simon remains an intriguing interview, though the exact air date is debated. Some sources, such as HipHopDX, claim it aired on December 8, 2004, while other reports suggest it was broadcast on December 8, 2008. The interview focuses on Kanye’s evolving music career and, most notably, his hit song "Jesus Walks," which blends religious and secular themes, sparking both praise and controversy.

In the interview, Kanye reflects on the industry pushback he faced when trying to promote "Jesus Walks." He expressed frustration over how the song's religious references were seen as taboo by radio stations and critics, equating the resistance to airing "Jesus" to the use of a racial slur. Kanye's commentary is emblematic of his belief in pushing boundaries in music and culture, and his passionate defense of his creative vision came across in the now-iconic line, “dope ass beat.” This moment has since become a defining phrase from the interview, highlighting Kanye's confidence in his musical talents.

The interview also delves into how Kanye balances faith with mainstream success, a recurring theme in his work. In discussing "Jesus Walks," Kanye emphasized that while the song wasn’t aimed at evangelical audiences, he believed it spoke to people that God "was really trying to reach". The song's combination of spiritual content and explicit language stirred debate among both religious groups and secular listeners, with Kanye unapologetically standing by his approach.

Although a full-length version of the interview once existed on YouTube, much of the footage has since been removed, and only a brief 2-minute, 26-second clip is currently available. This video includes Kanye’s famous "dope ass beat" comment while discussing the song’s creation and its reception. Furthermore, a blog post from March 12, 2008, on *A Rich Day* by a blogger named "Rich" references the interview, describing it as “awkward” and critiquing Kanye’s demeanor, further implying that the full interview may have been accessible online at some point before its removal.

For those interested, a portion of the interview can still be viewed on YouTube, providing insight into Kanye’s thought process during a pivotal moment in his career. You can watch it [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mcl43DCZFA).