Hip-hop is more about attaining wealth. People respect success. They respect big. They don't even have to like your music. If you're big enough, people are drawn to you.

I wrote this [Most Kings] before MJ died, and his death only proves my point: When he was alive, the King of Pop, people were tireless in taking him down, accepting as truth every accusation people made against him, assuming the worst until they drove him away. When he died, suddenly he was beloved again - people realized that the charges against him might really have been bogus, and that the skin lightening was really caused by a disease, and that his weirdness was part of his artistry. But when he was alive and on top, they couldn't wait to bring him down.

I seen the worst of the worst. I deserve every blessing I receive I'm from the dirt.

I keep my enemies close/ I give 'em enough rope/ They put themselves in the air/ I just kick away the chair.

Hip-hop gave a generation a common ground that didn't require either race to lose anything; everyone gained.

Your future is ahead of you. Imagine the notion of the past fifteen years of your life being a blip in your story.

Without the work, the magic won’t come.