Kanye West has revealed that he found out his grandfather was dying shortly before allegedly attacking a paparazzo at LAX airport.

The rapper, who was recently charged with criminal battery and attempted grand theft of a camera over the incident, explained to the photographer’s employers TMZ that he wasn’t in the best state of mind at the time.

“It's not about being a superstar, it's about being a human being ... If you had a daughter, and you guys say crazy s**t to me all the time, I couldn't imagine my daughter being 4 years old and you guys screaming at us,” he said.

“The guy set me up at the airport the other day, laughing and s**t. That was the day I found out that my grandfather was not gonna make it.

“But when I'm coming out the airport, they tried to antagonise me and I tried to stop his camera.”

The ‘Power’ rapper also suggested that the cameraman played up to the incident for a reaction.

“He fell down, faked it and then people were like 'Why did you hit that guy?' I obviously didn't hit the guy.

“But I'm going through s**t, I'm trying to have a business call ... I know you guys are gonna photograph me, it's all good - we're in this together, you guys help me, you help Kim's power and everything.

“I'm not trying to f**k you guys. I'd prefer if we just had a decent [relationship].”

Watch the video of the incident in question below: