Kendrick Lamar

“The majority of my interactions with police were not good. There were a few good ones who were actually protecting the community. But then you have ones from the Valley. They never met me in their life, but since I'm a kid in basketball shorts and a white T-shirt, they wanna slam me on the hood of the car. Sixteen years old.”

“At first, I was scared to show fear because you can never be sure how people will perceive you. But I dared myself to do that, to stand out. Now I'll talk about being beaten up or robbed or making a stupid decision because of a girl or whatever.”

“I got a greater purpose. God put something in my heart to get across, and that's what I'm going to focus on, using my voice as an instrument and doing what needs to be done.”

“God to me is love.”

“My word will never be as strong as God's word. All I am is just a vessel, doing His work.”

“I'm only as good as my last word, my last hook, my last bridge.”

“Since day one, since the first time I touched the pen, I wanted to be the best at what I do.”

“My moms always told me, 'How long you gonna play the victim?' I can say I'm mad and I hate everything, but nothing really changes until I change myself.”

“People have to go through trials and tribulations to get where they at. Do your thing - continue to rock it - because obviously, God wants you here.”

“Sometimes you have the trends that's not that cool. You may have certain artists portraying these trends and don't really have that lifestyle, and then it gives off the wrong thing. And it becomes kinda corny after awhile. It's really about keeping hip-hop original and pushing away the corniness in it.”

“I've been called a recluse. There's definitely truth in that. I like to spend time alone.”

“It's a great, great experience to finally get the reception that you know you rightfully deserve.”