I was forced to be an artist and a CEO from the beginning, so I was forced to be like a businessman because when I was trying to get a record deal, it was so hard to get a record deal on my own that it was either give up or create my own company.
May the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows.
The fans get to see you, and you can do great by your record if you have a great performance or a great night there. That’s all part of the business. But at their core, awards shows are not really a sincere thing. For a lot of years, the artists had to pay to play their own set.
Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?
I think Lil Wayne is extremely talented. I think he’s one of the most talented ones out there.
Little brothers ring fingers get cut up to show mothers they really got em.
No matter where you go, you are what you are playa.
We create music to express ourselves and when the world relates, that’s a beautiful thing. We’re all trading off each other’s culture, so no matter what lines you put-country indie rock, rap, we’re all somehow gonna find a way to come together.
You ain’t gotta go to church to find your God.
As kids we didn’t complain about being poor; we talked about how rich we were going to be and made moves to get the lifestyle we aspired to by any means we could. And as soon as we had a little money, we were eager to show it.
I dumbed down for my audience to double my dollars.
People really feel like music is free, but will pay $6 for water. You can drink water free out of the tap and it’s good water. But they’re okay paying for it. It’s just the mindset right now.
Cough up a lung where I’m from marcy son, aint nothin nice.
There’s the gift, there’s the spirit, and there’s the work-all three have to come together. If one of those things is off, it can stop you from becoming who you were meant to be.
I’m gonna fight, and I’m gonna make something out of nothing. That’s pretty much the American dream. So, for me, the realization that I could speak to people like that came first on a small scale. Then it just started happening. I started having this vibration.
Can I hit it in the morning with out giving you have of my dough?
I had success. I had a number one record. I had a number one album. I have to make this kind of record again or else I’m going to lose it all. That’s how you end up making the same song over and over.
The reason I’ve been groundedand able to make albums, is because I’ve allowed my friends to come with me and voice an opinion. That’s who keeps you grounded, the people who have known you longest.
People who don’t know you, you don’t know their motives. They smile at you all day, “Oh, that’s great. You’ve done it again! You’re the greatest!” And that’s not good for an artist.
For me, the challenge is just making great albums, because talent – and writing in general – is not tangible. There’s no expiration date on it. At the same time, you might wake up tomorrow and be unable to write music.
If you want the old me, go buy my old albums.