Kanye West is “just a rapper” according to Quincy Jones.

Despite the ‘Runaway’ hitmaker being one of the most sought after producers of the last decade and achieving huge critical and commercial success, legendary producer Quincy – who was behind Michael Jackson’s most successful albums including ‘Thriller’, the biggest selling album of all time – doesn’t think he can compare with him.

He told UsMagazine.com: “Did he write for a symphony orchestra? Does he write for a jazz orchestra? Come on, man. He’s just a rapper. There’s no comparison.

“I’m not putting him down or making a judgement or anything, but we come from two different sides of the planet. I spent 28 years learning my first skill. I don’t rap.

“It’s a whole different mindset. No comparison. None. I don’t think about him much. He’s a great rapper, but there are a lot of good rappers. ”

While Quincy may not rate Kanye’s work, the rapper is himself no stranger to self aggrandising statements or elevated perceived importance, recently claiming his new album ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ is his “masterwork”, adding “I try to compete against the past – Michelangelo, Picasso, the pyramids.”

In 2004 Kanye also claimed: “I was the best artist of the year. I’m carrying the whole state of music.”

Quincy added he rates Akon, Ludacris and Usher as having the same “spark” as Michael did.