Kanye judges prestigious design awards

Kanye West has been unveiled as the judge of a prestigious design competition.

The rapper was invited to adjudicate Wallpaper's annual Design Awards, honouring the year's top innovations in fields including Best Business Jet, Best Women's Shoes and Best Spa.

"He's the most visually literate, design conscious musician of our generation. His blog informs and entertains a whole new demographic," editor-in-chief Tony Chambers told NME, asked why West had been selected.

"As Kanye said about contemporary design when we asked him to be a judge: 'OK, great, I'm down!'"

The 'Love Lockdown' singer was joined by a panel that included British production designer Sir Ken Adams, architect Jean Nouvel and Yves Saint Laurent designer Stefano Pilati.

West will co-host a party in Paris on January 22, celebrating the competition's winners.