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'm starting to find out that a lot of people that you wouldn't think listen to me really do.

New York gave me hell for that 'Purple Swag,' man. They didn't respect me until 'Peso.'

I'm not a gangster, bro.

I strive for perfection, but Im not perfect. But what I can say is my morals are totally different than any other 24-year-old rapper my age now. I look at life totally different. A whole other aspect. I have different views and morals on life in general. And opinions.

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.

When I started, I was 23 years old directing my own music videos; I'm co-producing on my album; I'm hands-on with everything. I'm more than just a pretty boy: I'm an artist. I'm not saying I'm a hip-hop music artist, I'm an artiste.