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

I got 99 Problems but Mitt ain't one.

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

When people say stuff like, "Oh, that's soft rock. I don't listen to that," I find that elitist. It's music-racist.

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

Artists can have greater access to reality; they can see patterns and details and connections that other people, distracted by the blur of life, might miss. Just sharing that truth can be a very powerful thing.

I had success. I had a number one record. I had a number one album. I have to make this kind of record again or else I'm going to lose it all. That's how you end up making the same song over and over.