Mos Def

Why did one straw break the camel's back?_x000D_ _x000D_ Here's the secret:_x000D_ _x000D_ The million other straws underneath it.

I come from a family of very devout, praying people. That idea of peace and love toward humanity shouldn't be nationalistic or denominational. It should be a chief concern for all mankind.

Peace before everything, God before anything,_x000D_ _x000D_ Love before anything, real before everything,_x000D_ _x000D_ Home before any place, shoot before anything,_x000D_ _x000D_ Style and state radiate, Love Power slay the hate.

Hip-hop is a beautiful culture. It's inspirational, because it's a culture of survivors. You can create beauty out of nothingness.

If 'Life in Marvelous Times' can't get on the radio, then I don't need to be on the radio.

The new moon rode high in the crown of the metropolis. Shinin', like "Who on top of this?

My Umi said shine your light on the world, shine your light for the world to see

It's possible and available to any artist to be himself or herself on their own terms, to be accepted and embraced by black people. You don't have to be a thug to get love from black people.

Everything's got space between it, the planets, trees, your eyes. Your eyes get too close together, it's a whole different world. You can lose perspective.

You can positively affect and change a social circumstance with art, and it’s vital that a change happens now.

I don't mind being black. I'm black out loud. It's more than the people that they are, it's the condition that they represent.

Speech is my hammer bang the world into shape now let it fall - HUNGH

Beef is not what Jay said to Nas;_x000D_ _x000D_ Beef is when the working folks can't find jobs.

Breathe in...inhale vapors from bright stars that shine,_x000D_ _x000D_ Breathe out...weed smoke retrace the skyline.