The poets who do this are uniquely conscious of this silence, this stillness.

The difference between blues, jazz, rock n' roll and rap is that rap stayed poor. Even the white rappers are poor. It's scarier to look at poor people; it makes everyone uncomfortable. Their pain is something that people would like to see swept under the rug.

No one wants to sell to just 12% of the population for the entire length of their careers. It creates a difficult and less-profitable environment. But Hollywood has lived with that limiting mantra, and only a few black stars have managed to break through.

Never pass up any opportunity to share your gifts with the world.

Reacting to the world with a smile instead of a curse, a wave instead of the middle finger, will actually help you live longer.

Young people, when they're left alone, always want to have compassion, and they always want to give. They always want to help people who are less fortunate.

I can't get my medicine.