I improvised my life along the way - I just moved step-by-step. And I knew that if I got better, something would happen.

Greatness occurs when your children love you, when your critics respect you and when you have peace of mind.

Not one ounce of my self worth depends on your acceptance of me.

I guess hip-hop has been closer to the pulse of the streets than any music we've had in a long time. It's sociology as well as music, which is in keeping with the tradition of black music in America.

My earliest memories are being pinned to a fence with a switchblade.

A lot of the guys were like that - Oscar Pettiford - they just took me under their wing, and that's why I automatically help young people. I just love it, because they did that for me.

Playing the game, and unfortunately, playing the gangster game is very profitable.