Gossip & Gists: "Respect to Mandela", Kanye West Denies Madiba Comparisons

Kanye West has addressed the news about his alleged comparisons to the late great Nelson Mandela stating describing the situation as ‘false stories and noise that have been engineered by the media’.

Yeezy took to Twitter (where he rarely says anything) and in a series of tweets denied the reports;

"Respect to Mandela, his family and his legacy. Despite recent media reports, I’ve never said anything to dishonor or trivialize the life or transition of one of the most inspiring leaders. I’d like to address the false stories and noise that have been engineered by the media".

He then went on to explain how his late mother taught him the importance of Madiba’s work;

"At a young age my mother taught me the importance of his work. Mandela sacrificed his life for the betterment of mankind.Thank you, Mandela, for your life’s work and may it serve as a guiding light to illuminate our future".

Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95.

Gossip & Gists: Mandela’s Death Leaves South Africa Without Its Moral Center

Freedom fighter, statesman, moral compass and South Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial oppression. That was Nelson Mandela, who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead his country out of decades of apartheid.

He died Thursday night at age 95. His message of reconciliation, not vengeance, inspired the world after he negotiated a peaceful end to segregation and urged forgiveness for the white government that imprisoned him.

"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison," Mandela said after he was freed in in 1990. Mandela, a former president, battled health issues in recent years, including a recurring lung infection that led to numerous hospitalizations.

Despite rare public appearances, he held a special place in the consciousness of the nation and the world.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father," South African President Jacob Zuma said. "What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves."

His U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, echoed the same sentiment. "We've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth," Obama said. "He no longer belongs to us -- he belongs to the ages."