Music is not like sports, where you can go and do a hundred reps in a gym and come out and be all buffed up.

My father has been a voice of encouragement in times of desperation for so many people. But he died when I was so young that, for me, his music has been a way for me to get to know him better.

I like singing all songs, really, but I find that writing social commentary comes naturally.

The victory's found in truth, like innocence found in youth Self defeat is your own dispute

Nas is someone who can communicate with the streets and can still keep it real in terms of being human, he doesn't try to be this super perfect person, but has respect for his history and for his ancestors and for spirituality. So Nas always displayed that in his music, while at the same time keeping it hard and something that you can relate to.

I record all night and sleep all day.

Some boy nuh know dis, dem only come around like tourist. On the beach with a few club sodas. Bedtime stories, and pose like dem name Chuck Norris and don't know the real hardcore.