By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Could a bite of the Big Apple have saved Kanye West's mom from a premature death?
According to an upcoming issue of XXL Magazine, he thinks so, the New York Post reported.
"When I moved to LA, she moved to LA. And she wound up in a place that would eat her alive," he reportedly told the mag. "Even if I stayed in New York, it wouldn't have been like that. If I had lived in New York, she'd still be here."
West's mother, Donda, died in 2007 from complications of a plastic surgery operation.
West has blamed the trauma following her death for his erratic behavior over the past year, including interrupting Taylor Swift during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
In the issue of XXL Magazine, which hits newstands Sept. 28, West wrote the cover story himself.
In addition to talking about his mom's death, he also delved into the infamous Swift incident.
“The relationship with the public and with your fans is like the relationship with your girlfriend," he reportedly wrote. "How could I not, at a certain point, be like, 'I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been at the awards show. I’m sorry.' Not that I don’t deserve to get beat up or change who I am inside, to make sure that that doesn’t happen again.”
While his mother couldn't be saved by New York, observers believe West is looking to the city to steady himself following the incident. West has been seen at many Fashion Week shows, including being spotted at the Rodarte, Vera Wang, Rocawear and numerous other fashion shows.
He also performed at Yankee Stadium with Jay-Z and Eminem earlier this week and received an enthusiastic greeting from the crowd — a welcome change for the rapper who was booed only hours earlier at this year's VMA show.
"That Jay offered up his prime stage time to West — who performed “Power (Remix),” “Good Life,” and several other songs — was either an example of dazzling confidence on Jay’s part (no one can steal my thunder) or an acknowledgment that Kanye, hot on the comeback trail, outshines Jay at the moment," the review in Rolling Stone said.
"Knowing the savvy Jay-Z, he probably meant to imply both."
