Musician

For me, performing is the biggest part of being a rapper. There's nothing like the feeling of screaming your story to people.

The problem is that my generation was pacified into believing that racism existed only in our history books.

I think it's so dope that I'm here in Chicago and contributing to the music scene that's thriving. People are so happy Chicago's shining that everyone is willing to say 'I represent Chicago.' That wasn't always the case.

I'm light skinned, and I used to lean on that because that's something a lot of black people pride themselves on, and it's weird.

Both of my parents graduated from high school, both attended college, both have government jobs now. They've always been very adamant about me finishing high school and finishing college.

I don't see myself ever being in a position where I need to sign to a label.

That's what I've always wanted to do - work with my favorite writers and make something from scratch with them that we can feel like didn't exist before we came in the room.

My favorite artist in the world is Michael Jackson, and he revolutionized the music video aspect of music.

Depending on the story that you're telling, you can be relatable to everybody or nobody. I try and tell everybody's story.

When you become a parent, you start loving diapers.

I think the music industry is something that's very separate from music. So, by always staying on the music side of it, I've found success.

If I was to buy a suit, I'd probably go to Men's Wearhouse - because you're going to like the way you look; they guarantee it.

If you can give away free music, you can give away free electricity, free water. Those tiny jabs at a larger infrastructure are what make revolutions.

Mixtapes have always been a guerrilla-style means of moving music.

I like the fact that some of your favorite Broadway musicals are not made into movies.

I don't really have control over my direct impression on people anymore. I used to be the person putting my CD in people's hands. But I'm kind of a mainstream artist now. Not by choice.

One of my biggest fears with 'Coloring Book' was that it would be labeled. I hate labels. I never sought out for people to recognize it as a gospel album.

When I found Freestyle Fellowship, I started getting into the construction of rap. You get better at it the more you do it; you figure out the science and the math behind it.

I don't think I really knew I was going to be a rapper until sixth grade. Even then, it was still kind of - I was in sixth grade. I was always saying I was going to become a rapper.

There's nothing like doing a show at home. When you do a show in Chicago, there's just a certain love that you don't feel anywhere else; it's like home base.