ESSENCE.COM: How much of your Kanye-isms were inspired by your mom and what is the one thing you feel you learned from her passing?
WEST: Since my mom died I'm about living to cultivate myself by traveling the world. My mom instilled that in me when she took me to China with her for a year. I was in the fifth grade and I know she prepped me for my many journeys to come. My mom was an educator so she brought that kind of knowledge and instilled it in me. Now, I'm keeping her dream alive through the foundation to take it to the next level.

ESSENCE.COM: We're sure she's proud of your work with the foundation as well as your personal growth. About a month ago you made a declaration on your blog and a vow to show more humility after "South Park" depicted you as an egomaniac fish. How difficult has it been looking at the man in the mirror?
WEST: Well, I'm not more humble but more gracious. If you look up the definitions of the word humble, it's all negative connotations, like one should bow down. I can only be fully me, and be fully appreciative of others, especially my fans. So I show my appreciation. If someone wants to take a picture with me or stop and talk to me because they appreciate my work, then I should absolutely show them that in return. Instead of having someone take a picture of me at 5 A.M. when I'm irritated and tired. I'm glad to say I am finally growing into my manhood at 31. At the end of the day, I hope people will say, "That guy really cares about quality and wants to be an example and have a better life and inspire others to as well."

Kanye West will perform at the 2nd Annual Stay In School Benefit Concert at the Chicago Theater on June 11.