When I went to college, it became more of a hobby, and that's when I think I got the realest music education. It wasn't something that I had to do. It wasn't an obligation. Awkwafina collegeeducationhobby Change image and share on social
I think people always want to hear that there are barriers that exist for us. But the more I started to realize artists that are kind of like me in my lane, like, if they were white or African-American, they often had trouble because it wasn't the quality of their music: they just didn't stick out. Awkwafina africanamericanartist share on social
I am American. If you drop me in Seoul, I don't think I'm going to thrive there. Awkwafina americandropseoul Change image and share on social
It's definitely a privilege to be able to do what you love to do; it's not something that everyone gets to do, so I feel really good about that. Awkwafina feelgoodlove Change image and share on social
I'm not trying to unite Asian people with my music. Awkwafina asianmusicpeople Change image and share on social
My mom passed away when I was 4 years old, and she came from a very conservative Korean background. I feel like my life would've been incredibly different had she still been alive. Awkwafina alivebackgroundconservative Change image and share on social
I think rap in general allows you to be more lyrically expressive. It's a lot easier to state your identity, as opposed to with a guitar making all these weird metaphors. Awkwafina easyexpressivegeneral Change image and share on social
I think there are barriers, but I think for me specifically, my barrier is being rejected from the kind of hip-hop elitists that think I'm not appropriating it, but just not serious about it. They think I'm a Lonely Island, Weird Al, you know - like a parody rapper. So that alienates me from a lot of things. Awkwafina alienateappropriatebarrier share on social
Other female rappers are overly sexual, have no wit, and their lyrics are so generic. I want to change the game to make rap that shows I'm not a normal female rapper - it's not about how rich I am, how much sex I have, or how many boyfriends I have. That's just not me. Awkwafina boyfriendchangefemale share on social
You can't really label me as a musician, a comedian, or a rapper - you know, it's different. Awkwafina comedianlabelmusician Change image and share on social