Groups break up because they never got across what they wanted to do personally, and they have creative differences, and egos start to clash.
— Kendrick Lamar
I like to let things breathe.
I'm sticking to the script, I'm putting that organic feeling back in the game.
I'm constantly thinking.
People are used to music that justifies street culture but something that's not touched on is why these kids act the way they act, live the way they live.
I had to come from something, come from a place that was negative and positive but the majority of it is a negative place.
The best thing is to always keep honest people around, because when you have a bunch of yes men around that know that you're making a mistake but let you go on with it, that's when it ruins your mind state as an artist.
I can't help the way you was born if you was gay.
My mom's one of 13 siblings, and they all got six kids, and till I was 13 everybody was in Compton.
Eventually you get to this point where you understand what you want to do and get across and sound like.
It's a great, great experience to finally get the reception that you know you rightfully deserve.
If I'm gonna tell a real story, I'm gonna start with my name.
I think my vice would be outdoing myself.
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 don't vote. I don't do no voting.
I always felt like there was a certain standard of music that I had to do from the beginning, even when I didn't have the recognition that I have now.
People gonna be they own individuals and have they own worlds and I can't knock it.
The worst part of success is, to me, adapting to it. It's scary.
I always tell people that if I move anywhere it would be Toronto.
As long as my music is real, it's no limit to how many ears I can grab.
I learned, when I look in the mirror and tell my story, that I should be myself and not peep whatever everybody is doing.
I knew I was blessed with a gift of having both parents.
You don't hear no artists from Compton showing vulnerability.
It's easy to forget who you are.
I don't really believe in the type of pressure that people are wanting to put on the type of music that I make.
I'm putting out this free music, constantly putting it out.
