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" The ability to have somebody read something and see it, or for somebody to paint an entire landscape of visual imagery with just sheets of words - that's magical. That's what I've been trying to strive for - to draw a clear picture, to open up a new dimension. "

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" With guys I revere, like Marcus Garvey or Malcolm X, their look is less about style than purpose and the expression of beauty. It wasn't just about being noticed, you know? "

Mos Def

Style

Purpose

You

" There are a lot of people who call themselves teachers or leaders, but they're really just propagandists. "

" I don't mind being black. I'm black out loud. It's more than the people that they are, it's the condition that they represent. "

" My presence speaks volumes before I say a word. "

" Bob Marley performed the 'One Love Peace' concert in Jamaica with the two different warring political sides. There's always been that in black music and culture in general. It's no surprise because black music is such a reflection of what's going on in black life. It's not unusual for hip-hop. "

" You're not gonna get through life without being worshipful or devoted to something. You're either devoted to your job, or to your desires. So the best way to spend your life is to try to be devoted to prayer, to Allah. "

" What I take from writers I like is their economy - the ability to use language to very effective ends. "

Mos Def

Economy

Ability

" Focused. I'm a hustler. And my hustle is trying to figure out the best ways to do what I like without having to do much else. "

" If Islam's sole interest is the welfare of mankind, then Islam is the strongest advocate of human rights anywhere on Earth. "

" I like to read the 'Financial Times' when I'm traveling. 'Economist.' 'Ad Busters.' "

Mos Def

Read

Traveling

" Hip-hop is the last true folk art. "

" But even creeps deserve to live someplace halfway decent. "

" And remember don't high post when you're far from home, and high posting when you're all alone. "

" 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

You

Wind

" Record companies are not necessarily interested in you realizing your artistic dream. The bottom line is that they got to sell records. "

" Reckless capitalism kills black people. "

" I don't want to waste anyone's time or money. I want to give people some truth and positive heart lift. "

" I didn't want to have to deal with having any moniker or separation between the self that I see and know myself as. "

" 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. "

" I'm trying to get low. People's personalities can get in the way of their own work. "

" I feel like being into the beat of your own drum has become too prominent in the culture. "

" I'm just an artist and I'm doin' what I like to do. "

Mos Def

Doin

Artist

" That's what I've been trying to strive for - to draw a clear picture, to open up a new dimension. "

Mos Def

Open

New

" I don't wanna get into that space where a lot of guys now, their solo album is like eight or 10 songs with other people, you don't get an idea of who this guy is. I just wasn't interested in that. "

" That idea of peace and love toward humanity shouldn't be nationalistic or denominational. It should be a chief concern for all mankind. "

" You want to know how to rhyme, then learn how to add. It's mathematics. "

" I got my first exposure to Islam when I was 13. "

" I'm growing as an individual, but your always growing. All of my albums are snapshots of where I am artistically. "

" I don't hate nobody. I hate certain conditions that are inflicted upon the people - and they're helpless with it. "

" All the things that are worth doing, take time. "