Kanye West has responded after being criticised for writing "misogynistic" lyrics about Taylor Swift.

The rapper unveiled his new album 'The Life of Pablo' at a listening party in New York on Thursday (February 11), but one track has caused controversy.

The tune 'Famous' refers to West jumping her stage at the 2009 MTV VMAs and it includes the words:

"I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that bitch famous."

A rep for Swift revealed that the '1989' star was approached to plug the track on Twitter - something she declined.

However, the singer warned West about releasing the song due to its lyrics, but the rep said she wasn't aware of the line about fame.

West took to Twitter on Friday (February 12) to issue a stream of tweets in defence of the lyrics, suggesting that Swift herself came up with the 'famous' line.

He said: "I did not diss Taylor Swift and I’ve never dissed her…

"First thing is I’m an artist and as an artist I will express how I feel with no censorship. 2nd thing I asked my wife for her blessings and she was cool with it.

"3rd thing I called Taylor and had a hour long convo with her about the line and she thought it was funny and gave her blessings.

"4th Bitch is an endearing term in hip hop like the word Nigga.

"5th thing I’m not even gone take credit for the idea… it’s actually something Taylor came up with...

"She was having dinner with one of our friends who’s name I will keep out of this and she told him. I can’t be mad at Kanye because he made me famous! #FACTS.

"6th Stop trying to demonize real artist Stop trying to compromise art. That’s why music is so f*cking watered down right now I miss that DMX feeling.

"7th I miss that feeling so that’s what I want to help restore.

"8th They want to control us with money and perception and mute the culture. But you can see at Madison Square Garden that you can stop us.

"9th It felt like a seen from The Warriors ALL GODS ALL GODS ALL GODS in the buildin. not just the famous people there but the kids the moms the dads the families that came to share this moment with us [sic."

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