I wanted to say what wasn't being said. I wanted to give people a real story. I wanted people to know people like me exist in the world.
My record company had to beg me to stop filmin' music videos in the projects. No matter what the song was about, I had 'em out there.
Africa has been going through so much for so many years; it's time that it stands up the way other nations are standing up.
My duration's infinite, money-wise or physiology.
And the stuff that I write, is even tougher than dykes.
You're supposed to be who you are. You're supposed to make music that is true to you.
What you base your happiness around?
Material, women, and large paper?
That means you inferior, not major.
Some seek fame cause they need validation,
Some say hating is confused admiration.
Street's disciple, my raps are trifle.
I shoot slugs from my brain just like a rifle.
Niggas hate what they can't understand, fear what they can't conquer.
You lose money chasing women, never lose women chasing money.
I know you think my life is good 'cause my diamond piece,
But my life been good since I started finding peace.
I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.
I don't kill soloists only kill squads.
Sunlight and seeing something that was a thought become a thing and materialize -- that makes me come alive.
Life's a bitch and then you die; that's why we get high
Cause you never know when you're gonna go.
Props is a true thug's wife.
You know the block was ill as a youngster
Every night it was like a, cop would get killed body found in the dumpster.
Big up to Flex. Stop taking so much cizock in his mizouth.
Let the music diffuse all the tension.
Some people say I'm conscious, some say I'm a gangsta rapper -- it's just me doing me. I'm stomping in my own lane. I'm doing what I do.
My success symbolizes loyalty, great friends, Dedication, hard work, routine builds character. In a world full of snakes, rats and scavengers.
I think marriage is a beautiful thing. I'm still a supporter of it.
All fatherhood is very important because single mothers shouldn't have to raise sons or daughters; they need that help.
Hip-hop is bigger than the South; hip-hop is bigger than New York.
To me, creatively challenging myself is my version of owning the Nets.
I like the way hip-hop is now. It's grown up enough so that it can get involved with politics if it feels like it.
I love PBS! I grew up on it. If I had to say which channels were good, I'd say, you got your PBS, your History Channel, your Discovery.
Anybody I'm dating, I don't want them to talk about my music. I don't talk about my music to them.
I'll always love rap, no matter what's going on.
Let's not forget, art can sell. You ain't gotta front all the time on your records.
I can't control what people think. They know who I am.
Hip-hop is really standoffish. It's really competitive and it's really about who's number one all the time. Sometimes it gets out of hand.
Hip-hop is making a lot of noise. It should get some more spotlight.
I had a pretty public divorce. They're not easy -- divorces -- and it took me a long time to really get through.
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.
I have no tattoos that I regret -- I have had some that I have had changed according to how my life was.
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.
No one's promised anything. You could have the biggest record on radio and sell no records.
I'm just little me, an American who wants to see his country do better.
I don't get jealousy, I don't get how people hate each other -- I never did.
Every generation witnesses atrocities. People in power try to fulfill prophecy.
With age comes common sense and wisdom.
Working with great people makes you great; you learn a lot and it also gives you the experience and confidence to move on with your own career.
Once you make it to your point of making it, you'll appreciate the struggle.
I want to have fun. It's a beautiful life. You learn, you win, you lose, but you get up.
I love the art world, I love art galleries, I love what it means -- I love art.
I just enjoy life now. I just enjoy every morning I get to wake up.
The flaws, the mistakes I make -- that's the real me.
I don't go out unless I'm working. My quality time is when I'm doing nothing.
Your look reflects what's happening in your mind. You gotta have some swag to you.
You can't please everybody. You'd be crazy if you're trying to. So take some time out to do some things for yourself.
Anybody can be a rapper, but not anybody can be a classical artist.
The sound of the '90s, to me, is a combination of soul and street -- it's a feeling.