I was ashamed to let anyone know that I was living in a shelter. I remember one time coming home and some kids saw me and were like, "What you doing here? This is a shelter!" But I was like, "My mom's working there." It was pretty embarrassing.

There's just so much out there and so much inspiration... I just want to be tasteful.

When Big Meech and everybody got indicted, hustling died. Keep it trill.

Rihanna is a pothead and so am I, so we're real cool. Weed is going to bring us together as a generation. Drugs is what created Woodstock. Let's be clear about that.

I've got so much in my brain and I want to change the way we think sometimes.

I don't have any favourite lyrics. Honestly, all of them I love 'em to death - it's the same with songs. I don't have just one favourite lyric, I love them all.

My real name's Rakim - my parents named me after the god MC himself.