Most artists are making as much money now as they could have made... in the heyday of Def Jam [when the] Beastie Boys would sell 10 million records or DMX would sell 6 or 7 million records. Those records are one thing, but then all the other ways to exploit the emotional relationship between artist and community is so much greater that I would guess that they're making as much or more money than they could have ever made.

I'm always surrounded by smart talented people. I had talented partners. Stan Latham for one. Talent scouts.

A poet or a comedian can say what's on the mind of people. They should be funny. They should make you laugh. It may be so truthful that it hurts, but it makes you laugh.

Learn to let your thoughts exist on their own without getting too involved in them.

Get your hustle on... Hard work is easy, working out is hard.

I really, really try to be a good servant. It makes me happy when I'm a good giver without expectations.

That was never my intention to compete with the Oscars.