The key is always the actual art itself, the actual music. There are all these myths out here that like, if you do this little trick, if you use this little strategy, it'll do it for you.

Feeling is always first for me in anything. I think the only way for sure that I know how do that is to write songs about things I feel strongly about.

I've always loved independent music stores because the staff is usually there because of a genuine love and appreciation for music. They're more in-tune with the customers and I'm willing to pay the extra dollar or two for the service they provide. Some of my greatest music discoveries have come from picking up an album at an indy store and the cat behind the register saying "You like this man? Have you heard of so-and-so?" I prefer to shop where people understand me and the music- the music i like.

I would just like to see hip-hop journalism in general take a step up and match the artistry. There have been great writers in music who are the caliber of artist as a writer as the people that they're covering.

If you don't feel the blues, then you're not listening. Then you're just a professor or something.

The greatest threat of harm doesn't come from any bomb

Strategies are great, business models are great, but the reality is your music has to mean something to people.