8 reasons why Kanye West is the craziest/most brilliant artist of his generation

Two words: floating stage. When Kanye West performs at the Xcel Energy Center on Monday, he will do so suspended above the crowd on a hovering platform — like some loudmouthed deity demanding tribute. ("Praise Yeezus!") This peculiar setup perfectly encapsulates the rap star's entire career: He just can't bring himself to do things the traditional way. ("Normal stage? Forget that!") Often, this talent for breaking the mold manifests itself in some fairly offensive displays of Kanye-ness, like when his recent video for "Famous" depicted well-known celebs as nude wax figurines. Rude? Of course. But was it a clever way of critiquing our tabloid-obsessed culture? Mm-hmm. Here are eight more moments when Kanye went a little crazy/brilliant.

Remember Mike Myers' face? This moment — broadcast during a live 2005 Hurricane Katrina benefit — was the beginning of Kanye's uncensored political voice.

The Taylor Swift incident at the 2009 MTV video awards made him public enemy No. 1. Was it mean? Yes. But c'mon, Beyoncé did have "one of the best videos of all time."

Critics hate his tantrums. But no one denies his musical genius, and 2010's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is his magnum opus. An odyssey into his id.

A $120 white tee is certifiably crazy. But as a style icon, he helped steer the course of streetwear to a more fitted, gender-bending silhouette. Hello, male leather skirts!

Actual quotes from Kanye: "I am Picasso." "I am Walt Disney." "I am Steve Jobs." "I am Shakespeare." "I am a god." There's confidence, and then there's arrogance.

He scoffed at traditional music promotion with 2013's "Yeezus," releasing the CD in a clear case with red tape. The sound was abrasive — and hailed as another masterwork.

"The Life of Pablo" is the first true album of the streaming era. Since its February release, Kanye has continued to tweak the songs. Now he's George Lucas.