I don't mind being black. I'm black out loud. It's more than the people that they are, it's the condition that they represent.

I'm inspired by playwrights, novelists, poets: The value of language has been a lifelong passion of mine. I enjoy it. I'm good at it.

I ain't no perfect man I'm tryna do the best that I can with what it is I have.

I like to read the 'Financial Times' when I'm traveling. 'Economist.' 'Ad Busters.'

It’s one thing to be the greatest; it’s another thing to be necessary. The best are the most necessary: those who take less than they give and love more than they hate.

I don't have advice for people on how to dress. People should dress based on what they find beautiful. My best advice: Keep your clothes clean.

I think hip-hop is actually one of the most challenging things that's happened in music in a long time. The people who are in charge of what people see or hear are afraid. What you hear on top 40 or what you see on BET or MTV is not a fair representation of what is really going on...