I began to fear that Mos Def was being treated as a product, not a person, so I've been going by Yasiin since '99. At first it was just for friends and family, but now I'm declaring it openly.

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

I'm doing exactly what I was supposed to do. Yeah. I didn't exactly choose this. My own life, if it were up to me, would be very, very quiet. I'd be like a shopkeeper, a book collector, or something like that. I'm not like this. Myself as a performer and an artist is totally different from who I am.

Why do I need I.D. to get I.D.? If I had I.D. I wouldn't need I.D.

I've always loved music and I love the language, which is a huge reason why I'm part of theater.

There are a lot of people who call themselves teachers or leaders, but they're really just propagandists.

My Umi said shine your light on the world, shine your light for the world to see