I didnt grow up around all white people; I never wanted to gentrify hip-hop, Ive never wanted to speak to an all-white audience.

Nothing tops making a living off your passion.

I stuck with my education, you know, I really did that for my grandma. It meant a lot to her that I finished school and in the grand scheme of things it was her who had saved and helped provide for me this opportunity to go to school.

I think it's important to evolve and grow and take risks creatively, instead of repeating yourself and doing the same thing over and over.

I'm on this raised-platform-stage and I'm put on display, but at the same time I'm just a human. I'm just a regular person at the end of the day and, you know, I just want them to know that I do appreciate every single one of them.

When you're choosing the track list and the sequencing, it's important to make sure that there's some strong concepts on there and that it matters and it says something... that it sticks with people.

I just always wanted a platform. In the past, I always dreamed of having a following and a fan base - you know, a group of people just listening and paying attention to what I was making. I think the reality kicked in that you have to make a living so that you have enough time to keep creating, you know? 'Cause if you're not making a living at this, then you're making a living working another job, and if you're working another job, you're spending all your time doing that and can't put enough time into the music.