Quotes About Influence

Nas was a huge influence. That's probably my favorite rapper of all time.

I'm a California guy, but in my opinion I think Biggie is the best rapper.

People compare me to Kendrick. I've seen comparisons with Jay-Z, with Nas, with Chance The Rapper. I get a lot of Eminem comparisons.

My mom had wild records, like Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and the Whispers. But the first record I bought was 'Rapper's Delight.' It had a sky-blue cover with a rainbow. My aunt gave me money to get it, and I played it over and over on the record player.

Gucci was my favorite rapper, is my favorite rapper, was always.

I'm part of the generation that grew up with great rappers like 2Pac and Biggie and people like Amy Winehouse. We've seen a lot of different artists come and go. Even people who are still here, they seem consumed and blinded by fame. It may not have taken them out physically, but they have been taken out.

Why shouldn't rap be esoteric, able to take in current events, history and criticism? I guess it's this old idea of containment - that rappers, because they're black, can't and shouldn't aspire to look outside the ghetto for influence.

My favorite rappers are a lot of other people's favorite rappers. I love Jay Z, Kanye, 2Pac, Biggie, old Mos Def.

I'm trying to resurrect old school rappers from N.Y.

I like Biggie. Like 'Pac, he was one of the best rappers in the business. Why would I try to do something to him?

A lot of rappers nowadays will say they don't listen to anybody, but I like to hear what's going on. I don't think it affects my music. I still do what I do. I just listen as a fan because I love hip-hop.

If you look at companies like Twitter, Google, all these companies started with ideas and then everybody used it. In my world, people don't think like that. Rappers chase the next check. They become a slave to labels and eventually that money starts shrinking.

People get caught up in worshipping certain rappers, or they try to demonise hip hop by looking at what certain rappers are doin' in their lives.

I think what sets a New York rapper apart from other rappers from other places is just being from New York.

The rappers have gone in and created a lot of hit music based upon my influence. And they'll tell you if you ask.

The more I got into my artistry, I got a bigger responsibility: the kids in Chicago, they look up to the rappers. We influence them.

I love the grimiest rappers in the world. That's my favorite.

Rappers are the white authors of our generation. They know me, my language, my codes, my family, my block.

I would not consider myself to be a quote unquote real New York rapper. I don't even like New York rappers.

Whatever rappers wear is cool to people.

I've been around a long time, and when I was at the top of the hill, I was very ahead of my time! Evidence of that is that my music is still current today - you know, rappers sample it all the time. So, rather than compromise my artistic integrity, I concentrated on movies.

Ghostface, when it comes to hip-hop, was one of my favorite rappers and definitely one of my favorites in the Wu-Tang. He's also a really cool dude.

It's not nice to say it - I know female musicians, but not so many rappers. I can't think of one I idolize, which is sad, but I'm hoping that will change.

We opened the door for women rappers.