When you're a producer on top of that, just havin' a beat that's hot is not enough. Now you know your sound, 'cause you've been workin' on your sound for so long, and now you're extra picky. You might do a beat that's ill, that the average rapper would pay big money to get on, but you don't wanna do it because you're like, "Ehhh... it's not what I'm looking for, it's not what I'm goin' for." So you're extra picky.

I begged my mom for a beat machine, she spent a crazy amount of money - so there were no more Christmases, no more basketball camps, no more birthday gifts. I always knew that's what I wanted to do.

To appreciate the sun you gotta know what rain is.

Sometimes I try a Mai Tai. It's so fruity. It's a little embarrassing, but I like it.

It's no coincidence that all the greatest rappers - whoever you put in your top five - I guarantee you they a great storyteller.

I pay attention to lyrics and I know what rap fans care about. I try to write for the average listener and I'm conscious of the mainstream without selling out.

I'm here to spread a message of hope. Follow your heart. Don't follow what you've been told you're supposed to do.