I hate the hype. When 50 Cent came out, people were saying that he was the best rapper alive: "Oh, he got shot nine times, he's better than Tupac, he's better than Biggie." That was all hype.

For me, growing up in Harlem and then migrating down to SoHo and the Lower East Side and chillin' down there and making that my stomping ground... That was a big thing, because I'm from Harlem, and downtown is more artsy and also more open-minded. So I got the best of both worlds.

I hate the hype. When 50 Cent came out, people were saying that he was the best rapper alive: "Oh, he got shot nine times, he's better than Tupac, he's better than Biggie." That was all hype.

I don't cook, 'cause I don't know how to cook.

I just want my fans to grow up and enjoy the music first, I don't want to change the world that's not what my music is about.

People don't make albums any more. It's always about singles. I wanted to take that old-school approach.

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.