Quotes By Talib Kweli

I will never do a record without some sense of responsibility.

Ain't nobody making music to not be heard and the easiest way to be heard is to be on the radio, but you should never compromise who you are, your values or your morals.

As far as being on a major label, some labels get it and get what they have to do, and some labels don't. I don't think the label I'm on necessarily gets it, but I think over time they're gonna have to.

I think all those artists are artists who are appreciated because you believe their words and you appreciate their honesty in their music. If you don't appreciate the honesty in the music, the beat can be fly as hell but you'll never give an emcee props.

The way I see it, if people truly love my music, they will support me in some way down the road.

Once you're signed to a label you compromise.

I started rapping because I wanted people to hear what I have to say, I want as many people to hear me as possible, and I do everything in my power to make that pop.

And you know, art as commerce, doesn't really make too much sense, they don't go together.

Even an independent label is looking for a hit, they're not looking for a record that's not gonna do well.

People can be inspired the way I've been inspired by music.

Woman are complex creatures.

Hip-hop is a vehicle.

So I just had to step up how I was doing it and the moment that I stepped up and the moment I focused all my energy on that is when things started to happen. So there's a direct relationship between my inspiration and my output.

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

Being called a conscious rapper is quite a compliment. It's a great thing to be. But as an artist, my nature is to not be in a box.

Honestly, you have to take care of yourself. That's probably something I have learned on the road.