“I don’t have time for the news clippings. I got my own mission.”

I think the fact that I made enough noise in the world that I might be remembered is an amazing achievement. You can’t ask for more than that.

Anybody can be a rapper, but not anybody can be a classical artist.

Unfortunately, man, a lot of places in America have to deal with unnecessary violence.

You know, rap is sort of like a form of talking, right? So it’s like you can hear, you know, the slaves doing it.

Hip-hop is the streets. Hip-hop is a couple of elements that it comes from back in the days… that feel of music with urgency that speaks to you.

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.