'I think it's important for us to have open conversations about mental health - especially with me being black,' the rapper says when talking about his bipolar disorder.

• Aug 11, 2018

AceShowbiz - Kanye West knows it's important for him to talk openly about his mental health issues, especially as a member of the black community.

The Famous hitmaker revealed he had bipolar disorder on track Yikes, from his album Ye, in June, when he rapped about "my bipolar s**t" and insisted he didn't see it as a disability, but as a "superpower". He later shared in interviews that he had been diagnosed with a mental health condition within the past couple of years.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday night, August 09, he explained how vital it is for people talk about their mental health struggles.

"I think it's important for us to have open conversations about mental health - especially with me being black," he said. "Because we never had therapists in the black community. We never approached taking a medication. I think it's good that when I had my first complete blackout at age five, my mom didn't fully medicate me. Because I might have never been 'Ye. And there's times where at least I'm happy that I know (I'm bipolar). Like even like for this interview, I knew I wanted to stay in a calm state."

Earlier this year, the 41-year-old revealed to TMZ.com that he was on seven pills when he left hospital following his mental breakdown in late 2016. He added that doctors want him to take three pills a day now but he only takes one or two a week.

During the wide-ranging interview, the hip-hop star was also asked about his public support for U.S. President Donald Trump, and he stated that it wasn't about his policies, because he's "not a politician like that".

Jimmy pushed him to explain specifically what he supports about Trump, bringing up the time Kanye famously declared former president George W. Bush "doesn't care about black people". He asked Kanye if he thought Trump did, rendering the rapper silent for the first time in the chat.

The Gold Digger star remained speechless for several seconds so Jimmy cut to a break, and the issue wasn't brought up again when the show returned.