Outspoken US hip-hop star Kanye West has blasted reports that he claimed he was the new ‘king of pop’ – a term owned by the late Michael Jackson.

Online reports had ‘quoted’ the “Love Lockdown” 32-year-old star – who’s as famous for his ego as he is his hit songs – as stating, “First there was Elvis, then there was Michael, now in the 21st century it is Kanye’s time to rule”.

According to the man himself, the quote was completely fabricated, West insisting he has nothing but respect for Jackson.

“Not only did I not say that, I haven’t said anything,” West blogged yesterday. “It makes me feel bad that obviously I made people feel that I would be corny enough to say something so whack after the passing of an idol, a legend and more than that a human being with feelings and family.

“I’ve stopped chasing and buying into fame,” he continued. “Fame is like cigarettes with no Surgeon General warning. It destroys most people as it did to the true and only King of Pop. We exploit ourselves and eat our own egos ‘till there is nothing left.”