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.

History has proven that it's impossible to crush the artist. There's always gonna be a need for somebody to write a poem or sing a song about something, about life - that makes it real. There's the word that goes beyond the word.

I don't care about what brand you are, I'm concerned what type of man you are, what your principles and standards are.

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.

It's possible and available to any artist to be himself or herself on their own terms, to be accepted and embraced by black people. You don't have to be a thug to get love from black people.

Fear not of men because men must die. Mind over matter and soul before flesh.

Make today's solid ground out of yesterday's quicksand.