Kanye West was once arrested and charged with stealing from an office supply store, but insists it was all a case of mistaken identity after he was racially profiled by Illinois police.

The Stronger hitmaker made the revelation during his deposition as part of a legal battle with photographer Daniel Ramos, who is suing the star over a scuffle at Los Angeles International Airport in 2013.

During his latest testimony, obtained by Tmz.com, West recalled a previous run-in with the law back in 2000, when he was a rising producer. He claims his braided hair landed him in trouble with cops who were seeking a black male with a similar hairstyle.

He said, "I was racially-profiled for having a white T-shirt and braids...

"(It was) a (case of) mistaken identity for stealing some printers from OfficeMax after I was a platinum producer."

The rapper/producer previously testified that he was in an emotional state at the time of the bust-up with Ramos as he had just found out his grandfather was seriously ill.

West was convicted of battery for attacking Ramos, but insists he did not mean to hurt the snapper. He was sentenced to two years of probation, anger management sessions, and 250 hours of community service.

The civil lawsuit continues.