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

I wanna make music that I feel proud of when I'm onstage, that I feel like I put my all into.

I was thinking about naming my child Kanye.

I didn't want to be a loser, but I didn't want to fit in at the same time because I don't like just being ordinary. So it's one of those situations where I always kept my head up.

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.

It bring a tear to my eye to see native New York people give me my props because New York is stubborn and arrogant.

I don't wear diamond necklaces. I'm not against it but I never could afford it, so now I just wear gold. I wear bracelets, rings, anklets.