Salsa, classic rock, soul music, jazz... all of that was a part of my education in making hip-hop music.

People in the Middle East may consider the U.S. an evil hegemony that has tainted their culture, but when I look at the growth of racial and ethnic tolerance and understanding in my generation in the U.S., and see those sentiments make it around the world, it makes me feel proud.

Hip-hop educated me about other forms of music, because it sampled from all different styles.

Salsa, classic rock, soul music, jazz... all of that was a part of my education in making hip-hop music.

I've become more introverted as I've got older. I used to be an outgoing person who joked around a lot, but as the amount of energy I expend by sharing my music has increased, I like to balance it by spending time by myself and recuperating.

Industry executives sacrificed art for what sells and mega-stars now saturate the market with the same tired lyrics.

Compassion can change a lot of things, including the world. Young people especially need to know that, because they're the future.