I loved the hood and still love the hood but I had to realize like Ra you a rapper now you're in the public eye.
RakimI never sold drugs. A lot of people used to think I was that dude but I never sold a crumb. I used to always be upset with that.
RakimI always had an intelligence with me, I was always in the streets, I was always trying to do good. I was always looking for something to guide me. In the beginning church wasn't it.
RakimI don't accept that the new generation is looking for anything different than what we've always been looking for. Depending on the moment, they want bangers that make them crack their neck, they want tracks that put them in a zone where they can sit back and chill.
RakimMan is symbolic to the sun. The sun is dealing with a ball of fire and didn't go out yet. Me being symbolic to the sun, that's what keeps me going, that's like my hunger. That's like my fury, my self esteem. That's the elements within me that keep my body motionable. The fire is self esteem. Inner strength.
Rakim