Every time I get in the studio, I feel like I wanna have some fun. My fun is not doing the easy work. My fun is doing what's me.

I had a pretty public divorce. They're not easy - divorces - and it took me a long time to really get through.

In the past I had to deal with issues that hit me as a younger man. As a man who wasn't married who didn't really have the experience that I have now. Today I'm a different guy.

When I made Illmatic, I was trying to make the perfect album. It comes from the days of Wild Style. I was trying to make you experience my life. I wanted you to look at hip-hop differently. I wanted you to feel that hip-hop was changing and becoming something more real.

At one point, the old school club retires and you're next up to bat, but if you stop before your time, you will see someone else live your dream.

I fell in love with words and I think that made my mom smile. I think that was cool for her.

I don't have time for the news clippings. I got my own mission.