I grew up in the spoken-word community. Before everybody had a home studio, or before we could get booked for shows, open mics were the only way to be heard by other people. It really gave me a chance to develop as a performer. Reading a piece of poetry with no beat in front of 20 people is way more challenging than rocking for 10,000 people.

I played baseball up until my freshman year of high school. That was my main sport. I played third base.

If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me. Have you read the YouTube comments lately? 'Man, that's gay' gets dropped on the daily.

Reading a piece of poetry with no beat in front of 20 people is way more challenging than rocking for 10,000 people.

You have major labels that are willing to take unconventional approaches because the old model is crumbling in front of us.

Expectations are resentments waiting to happen

Sampling is kind of prehistoric, given the technology and the textures you can create.