“N.Y. hip-hop is ok, but we gotta become brave again; we have to be brave enough and do something new – that’s what New York is about… New.”

It’s never been seen that a street artist go as far as I’ve gone – keep consistent without wanting to do a bunch of ventures outside of music to keep my face out there.

I’m not talking about Russia in my music. I’ve never been to Russia. I’m not talking about Africa, Switzerland, China.

No one’s promised anything. You could have the biggest record on radio and sell no records.

I talk about life, and I make universal music with an American style – and that’s what I do.

No matter who you are, black, white, green, there’s going to be things in your way, you know what I mean?

We’re all Africans, everyone – black, white, yellow.

Calling Michelle ‘Obama Barack’s baby mama?’ Tell me, is that acceptable? But the Obamas aren’t the only targets. Fox’s pattern of race-baiting and fear-mongering regularly focuses on black leaders, black institutions and ordinary black people.

I think marriage is a beautiful thing. I’m still a supporter of it.

Even if you make mistakes, I go back to those things, my not-so-great moments because those are my truest moments; those are my human moments. I’m not even mad at the things I said that were a little dicey.

Your look reflects what’s happening in your mind. You gotta have some swag to you.

When I say ‘hip-hop is dead,’ basically, America is dead. There is no political voice. Music is dead.

I don’t want any title. I just say what I say, and hopefully somebody gets it, man. I’m not perfect, and I’m just here and trying to make a dollar, and being real at the same time, you know?

With age comes common sense and wisdom.

Hip-hop lasted and survived all these years that you have to give it credit. Even though it’s not up to people’s expectations anymore, its still here, and that’s says a lot.

I think hip-hop could help rebuild America, once hip-hoppers own hip-hop… We are our own politicians, our own government, we have something to say. We’re warriors. Soldiers.

I see N.Y. hip-hop like I see N.Y. streets. N.Y. streets are grimy; it’s a grind. N.Y. rappers are hustlers – whatever sound is in, we can adapt to that; there’s nothing wrong with that.

We all love and become confused when we don’t act as well as we would like to.

We all become afraid. We all look at others and think these other people are more fortunate than us.

The babies have old souls and the old souls have to shrink to become little babies.

I suppose I should be happy to be misread; better be that than some of the other things I have become.

Instead of becoming the world’s expert on Buddhism, just let go, let go, let go.

Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened.

I wouldn’t say I’ve become more radical: I was born radical.

If you don’t act, the danger becomes stronger.