Unfortunately, man, a lot of places in America have to deal with unnecessary violence. Somebody like me who knows it firsthand and could relate… I had a best friend killed, plenty other friends killed. I...

No one’s promised anything. You could have the biggest record on radio and sell no records.

Anybody can be a rapper, but not anybody can be a classical artist.

I see N.Y. hip-hop like I see N.Y. streets. N.Y. streets are grimy; it’s a grind. N.Y. rappers are hustlers – whatever sound is in, we can adapt to that; there’s nothing wrong with that.

Some people say I’m conscious, some say I’m a gangsta rapper – it’s just me doing me. I’m stomping in my own lane. I’m doing what I do.

I think the fact that I made enough noise in the world that I might be remembered is an amazing achievement. You can’t ask for more than that.

It’s never been seen that a street artist go as far as I’ve gone – keep consistent without wanting to do a bunch of ventures outside of music to keep my face out there.

All fatherhood is very important because single mothers shouldn’t have to raise sons or daughters; they need that help.

The sound of the ’90s, to me, is a combination of soul and street – it’s a feeling.

Divorce can be crazy. Man, if you’re happy… Love is a beast, man. Hold on. Be prepared for any way it may go, and be honest.

I think hip-hop could help rebuild America, once hip-hoppers own hip-hop… We are our own politicians, our own government, we have something to say. We’re warriors. Soldiers.

I don’t want any title. I just say what I say, and hopefully somebody gets it, man. I’m not perfect, and I’m just here and trying to make a dollar, and being real at the...

Whenever I received too much praise, it just didn’t feel right to me – ever.

Your look reflects what’s happening in your mind. You gotta have some swag to you.

To me, creatively challenging myself is my version of owning the Nets.

I don’t go out unless I’m working. My quality time is when I’m doing nothing.

I’m not talking about Russia in my music. I’ve never been to Russia. I’m not talking about Africa, Switzerland, China. I’m talking about me being American and growing up in a crazy world and helping...

I wish the music business was a much easier thing, but you know what? Nothing easy is worth anything. So it is what it is. There comes a time when things can work out and...

My earliest memories of rap music was mixed with my earliest memories of reggae music. They were big sounds around the way, heavy bass lines, strong messages, definitely.

I can’t control what people think. They know who I am.

Hip-hop lasted and survived all these years that you have to give it credit. Even though it’s not up to people’s expectations anymore, its still here, and that’s says a lot.

I want to have fun. It’s a beautiful life. You learn, you win, you lose, but you get up.

I have no tattoos that I regret – I have had some that I have had changed according to how my life was.

Marley is someone before his time, man. He’s – he’s almost – he’s like a deity, like almost, you know what I mean? I just talk about what’s going on, but of course, you know,...

I think if I heard someone else talking about their life, describing all the problems I’ve had, they’d look like they were through. Done. But there’s something about me – I’m smiling. Those things are...

Every time I get in the studio, I feel like I wanna have some fun. My fun is not doing the easy work. My fun is doing what’s me.

I don’t have time for the news clippings. I got my own mission.

I’ve been called everything. Gangsta rap. I’ve been called conscious rap. You know, everything. Whoever feels like calling it whatever they want to call it, that’s on them.

Working with great people makes you great; you learn a lot and it also gives you the experience and confidence to move on with your own career.

We’re all Africans, everyone – black, white, yellow.

‘Stillmatic’ is the rebirth of ‘Illmatic,’ my first debut album to come out in 1994. ‘Stillmatic’ is me coming full circle in my career and with everything, and just bringing pure hip-hop back.

Every generation witnesses atrocities. People in power try to fulfill prophecy.

Hip-hop is bigger than the South; hip-hop is bigger than New York.

When I say ‘hip-hop is dead,’ basically, America is dead. There is no political voice. Music is dead.

The things that I have said when I was young and curious about whatever the subject matter was, I respect those – those are growing pains. Even if you make mistakes, I go back to...

When you’re a teenager, you want to meet a lot of girls – you want to get the most girls. You don’t know anything about respect; you don’t know anything about being faithful and loyal...

Africa has been going through so much for so many years; it’s time that it stands up the way other nations are standing up.

There was a side of me that knew I was gonna change the game, but I didn’t know how many people would respect it.

DJs play a big responsibility of what hip-hop is doing… At the end of the day, it’s up to us to control and to own hip-hop. DJs need to challenge us rappers. They got so...

Hip-hop is making a lot of noise. It should get some more spotlight.

I talk about life, and I make universal music with an American style – and that’s what I do.

I definitely have plans to do more collaboration albums in the future. I’m a big fan of Common. I’m a big fan of Scarface; I’m a big fan of so many people, from Jeezy to…...

When you have a daughter, you want to protect her from the things that I’ve seen out there, you know, the things that’s out there that ain’t good for her. It’s a crazy world we...

Hip-hop is really standoffish. It’s really competitive and it’s really about who’s number one all the time. Sometimes it gets out of hand.

Anybody I’m dating, I don’t want them to talk about my music. I don’t talk about my music to them.

You can’t please everybody. You’d be crazy if you’re trying to. So take some time out to do some things for yourself.

I’ll always love rap, no matter what’s going on.

I’m just little me, an American who wants to see his country do better.

I think I’ve had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I’m that guy. I’m still blessed with the opportunity to make music and pass out a...

Once you make it to your point of making it, you’ll appreciate the struggle.