Michael Bloomberg is a sensible guy. He's just privileged. He's a goddamn billionaire, and he or his family members have never had to deal with anything as remotely degrading as stop and frisk. So he has no point of reference.

I met Mos Def around that time but I didn't hook up with him until I was about 17 or 18.

When you have a voice and a platform and you know better, it becomes your moral obligation to support that community. And by extension, you're supporting your family.

Young kids should be doing music that has shock value. They'll grow out of it.

The problem with our role is Americans live in a world of illusion.

I don't feel comfortable making empty music.

The materialism, the brashness, the misogyny - everything in hip-hop is amplified. Misogyny is a good example of something that is completely amplified in hip-hop. I do think there is more than enough of a balance, though, for fans who are willing to search it out.