We sell our dreams and our potential to escape through that buzz.

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.

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

I think that there will always be artists out there who think they need to sign a major label deal in order to be successful. And that machine is what is going to work for them - there's tons of examples of pop stars who need that machine.

Just because you miss someone doesn't mean you need them back in your life. Missing is just a part of moving on.

I definitely use 'smiling while rapping' as a tool in the booth. I want to have fun while recording.

It's just way more fun making art, growing, grinding for a fan base, and traveling the world with a friend.