U2 frontman Bono has praised Kanye West, saying the rapper has “the whole equation”.

In an interview with MTV, Bono admitted the group had been influenced by West, who once revealed he had adapted his songwriting after seeing the Irish band live.

"Respect for the text, seriously, because we're musical [and] we come out of improvisations, and that's how we write songs," Bono said.

"The melodies come out of those improvisations, and then eventually, I try to put into words what the music is telling me."

The singer added: "I think with Kanye, his understanding of what music, about what fashion, about what politics is - they are all each other.

“Understanding the whole equation is understanding where your song sits in the world. Kanye knows where it sits."

West revealed during the promotion for his 2007 LP 'Graduation' that he had reduced the album's lyrics after seeing U2 live.

He claimed the longer pauses would enable him to sense the audience's reaction to his performance.

Meanwhile, Bono also praised Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am, saying the rapper was "a very important voice" and "someone to watch".

(by Jason Gregory)