Quotes from Rakim

I can't look at TV without seeing something that's been influenced by rap. Even commercials for cereal. When I was small, I was a fan of cartoon characters - now the cartoon characters are rapping!

New York is responsible for bringing that raw, that real gritty hip-hop, because we... originated it.

You can't have 12 records on your album and none of them sound alike. You gotta kind of have something to make them say, 'That sounds like Rakim.'

I always went left to what everybody else was doing. I'm used to going against the grain.

One of the main reasons why it didn't work out for me and Aftermath is because I felt my music should sound one way, and they felt it should sound another. But, I learned a lot from watching Dre, and when I left California, I knew it was time for me to get my own label.

I saw a lot when I was young. The first time I got arrested I was twelve years old.

When you're trying to please both sides of the fence at the same time you really can't do that.

Every time someone come out with an album don't change the whole style up but don't do what they are expecting. Surprise them.

It's hard to have fun and make a fun album when you know that it's something that you need to say.

I'm definitely one of them artists that loves putting the track on and having fun with it, but in my own way.

I'm a fan of hip-hop as well. I like everybody who keeps the game on their toes and keep it pushing.

I love listening to old records to keep nostalgic feeling; it allows me to not lose the love for hip-hop.

Every generation wants that real hip-hop. And I've always been able to bring that.

Hip-hop has taken a lot of different routes throughout the years, man. I've been around since 1986.

I just appreciate the love that I get and support from hip-hop.

We need a few more Kanyes, people that's really passionate about hip-hop and who keep it alive.

I'm not in that state of mind that I was back in '86 - hip-hop is not in that state of mind that it was back in '86. Times change. I change.

Subconsciously, Islam took over me, so it was like eighty or ninety percent of the fabric of the person I was.

I always say a rapper is like a halfback in the NFL. You got about seven years, then it's a wrap.

I got one of the illest crews in NY but when I travel it's mostly me and my girl, me and my kids or me and one or two of my dudes but the majority of the time its just me.

Teach the youth to speak the truth, show them what peace can do

When I go out I get so much love I gotta change my way of thinking.

Sometimes I can't believe half of the love that I get.

I loved the hood and still love the hood but I had to realize like Ra you a rapper now you're in the public eye.