“With hip-hop music, it allowed me to talk about political and social things but also to tell stories.”

And through doing that I realised that actually these stories were very visual in my head and I couldn’t wait to make the videos.

So, I really enjoyed doing the Strickland Banks album. But there’s no point in my trying to release underground hip-hop music on a major label. That part of my talent, or part of my art, had to live somewhere else and feature film was the perfect vehicle for it.

I love the way I make hip-hop and I refuse to make pop-rap. I don’t refuse to make mainstream music, which is why I did a soul record. There was no reason why soul music couldn’t get played on the radio and I still wanted to have a relationship with my record label.

Anyone who puts 110% into their work deserves as much success as they can get.

I found very early on when I became a hip-hop artist that I loved telling stories. Actually, when I was trying to get a message across it was more powerful when I told a story, rather than if I used a metaphor or if I preached about an issue.

I was a soul singer first and I’d write love songs. I find with soul music it’s really hard to write about anything else. But I was 15 at the time when I was doing that and, to be honest, I’d never experienced love, so the words were kind of meaningless.

I didn’t make a film because I wanted a starring role. I made a film because I wanted to tell a story and I wanted to prove that I could direct.

The problem with working with a record label is they maybe a song I want to make a video for that they will refuse to make a video for because they don’t see that song as a single. And I found that very frustrating.

We missed a lot of church, so the music is our confessional.

I’m gettin’ stacks while you askin’ people, ‘Do you want some fries with that?’

Mark you for death, won’t even talk that East or West crap. From Watts to Lefrak, it ain’t where ya from, it’s where’s your gat.

Im known for snatchin’ purses and bombin’ churches I get more pussy on accident then most niggas get on purpose

I won’t say I’m the baddest, or portray that role, But I’m in the top 2, and my father’s gettin’ old.

Rappers act so wild, and love to profile, Frontin’ hard, but ain’t got no style.

I know you like the way I am freakin’ it. I talk with slang and I’m never gonna stop speakin’ it.

So, I really enjoyed doing the Strickland Banks album. But there’s no point in my trying to release underground hip-hop music on a major label. That part of my talent, or part of my art, had to live somewhere else and feature film was the perfect vehicle for it.