Mos Def Quotes

I don't rap like nobody, I don't try to sound like nobody.

I don't hate nobody. I hate certain conditions that are inflicted upon the people - and they're helpless with it.

To me, playing an instrument and singing, all of these different things are just as natural to me as rhyming.

I'm an independent thinker. And I'm not the poster child for any movement. I'm trying to support whatever's right no matter where it is.

I've been fortunate with my acting career. A lot of scripts come to me. I don't mind auditioning if something that requires that, but I haven't had to in awhile, which is a nice place to be 'cause I've been on quite a lot of auditions in my life.

My presence speaks volumes before I say a word.

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

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

I thought everybody got into rock 'n' roll because they didn't want to follow instructions.

I'm retiring the Mos Def name after 2011. I'm actually doing it.

We can be beautiful and feel beautiful about who we are everyday.

Hip-hop is the last true folk art.

If Islam's sole interest is the welfare of mankind, then Islam is the strongest advocate of human rights anywhere on Earth.

You can positively affect and change a social circumstance with art, and it’s vital that a change happens now.

I don't want to waste anyone's time or money. I want to give people some truth and positive heart lift.

Record companies are not necessarily interested in you realizing your artistic dream. The bottom line is that they got to sell records.