In the early '90s, when I really started to find my voice, I was reading a lot of books, and I was moved by the writers, like Chinua Achebe, and I wanted to be able to write rhymes that were as potent as what I was reading. Mos Def 90sachebebook share on social
But even creeps deserve to live someplace halfway decent. Mos Def creepdecentdeserve Change image and share on social
If 'Life in Marvelous Times' can't get on the radio, then I don't need to be on the radio. Mos Def lifemarvelousradio Change image and share on social
I can't control what people think. I'm not trying to manipulate people's thoughts or sentiments. I write all the time. You have to experience life, make observations, and ask questions. It's machine-like how things are run now in hip-hop, and my ambitions are different. Mos Def ambitioncontrolexperience share on social
To me, the job of the artist is to provide a useful and intelligent vocabulary for the world to be able to articulate feelings they experience everyday, and otherwise wouldn't have the means to express in a meaningful and useful way. Mos Def articulateartisteveryday share on social
What I take from writers I like is their economy - the ability to use language to very effective ends. Mos Def abilityeconomyeffective Change image and share on social
I just don't think it's very dignified to ask people to like you. You can just wind up being somebody's ottoman. Mos Def dignifyottomanpeople Change image and share on social
To me, playing an instrument and singing, all of these different things are just as natural to me as rhyming. Mos Def instrumentnaturalplay Change image and share on social
If you're going to do Chuck Berry, you got to, you know, go all out, and the duck walk is just kind of you know, cursory. That's like standing. Mos Def berrychuckcursory Change image and share on social