I came from the South Side of Chicago wanting to be a rap artist and make videos.
Hip-hop is supposed to help you elevate, or go higher.
People always want to feel better and be inspired. Sometimes we need it. I think the conscious rapper will always be able to live and exist.
What America was built on was being able to say, 'Hey, we're going to come in and use our resources to build for ourselves and our communities and build around that. We're not going to depend on others.'
That's why I named my album 'Finding Forever,' because that's what I was thinking about: What did I want to contribute to this world that would live beyond my physical existence?
Playing basketball is definitely one of my favorite things to do.
Education is what you get from reading the small print; experience is what you get from not reading it.
After you make good, quality music, then it's your job to go out there and promote it and to market it and to get it out there to the people.
When I started thinking about it, I was like, 'OK, if throughout time I get labeled as a conscious artist, I'll be very much celebrated, in a way, and honored.'
I learned a long time ago to be honest when I'm talking to other artists. Up-and-coming artists used to come and say something, they would have a demo reel, and I would try to tell them the truth. I don't go up and say something unless I really feel ...
People that I care about, that I consider being friends of mine, most of the things I discuss with them I wouldn't discuss in public because it's a real relationship. It's not a relationship for the public, you know?
Me as an artist, I've ventured off into doing all types of music. I'll do a jazz album, you know what I mean.
It's our responsibility for the village to say, 'Hey we're going to create these programs,' whether it's sports, creative arts, music, we need some things to give young people positive things to do, and that's including jobs.
I can only speak for myself - there were times when I just wasn't inspired by creating music.
One thing I always loved about hip-hop music was the raw, boom-bap element - it felt powerful and manly.
I think you really have to remember what you loved about making music in the first place. Ultimately, people can be like, 'We've seen this dude in many movies,' but if they hear a song and they're feeling it, they can look past all the personal thing...
Movies and media really can influence us. A few years ago, my daughter wanted to be a dancer; since Obama came into office, she now wants to be a lawyer and get into politics and maybe even be president.
