Hip Hop Philosophy Quotes

“Whether we consider hip-hop as an evolved manifestation of the Harlem Renaissance or something completely new under the sun, it clearly has moved beyond the stage of just entertaining lives to that of informing and empowering lives.”
― Aberjhani, Journey through the Power of the Rainbow: Quotations from a Life Made Out of Poetry

“This guy! I plead the fifth. This guy is nuts.”
- Eminem
“Dope questions, man. Very insightful, very thoughtful.”
- Guru (Gang Starr)
“You like a Psychiatrist or some shit? This shit is just coming out but go ahead.”
- Mary J. Blige
“Definitely a real interview! Digging deep up in there, man. Not afraid to ask questions!”
- K-Ci Hailey (Jodeci)
“The Wizard asked me for a copy of your magazine.”
- Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (Daft Punk)
“You didn’t wear your glasses and you haven’t carried your hearing aid. What else is wrong with you?”
- Bushwick Bill
“Peace and blessing, Brother Harris. Thank you for inspiring my words. Keep ‘yo balance.”
- Erykah Badu
“Can I see that pen?”
- Bobby Brown
“What else do you want to know? Talk to me.”
- Aaliyah”
― Harris Rosen

“We listen to rap lyrics, but few study the history. One of the most significant contributions of hip hop. It offers a profound social commentary on the black experience. This is an aspect of the music that is overlooked because most people choose to pay more attention to “the hook” (the catchy repetitive phrase) than the complete body of work. In doing so, the listener misses the message: the essence of the music, the breakdown of the bars. That’s tantamount to someone who is able to quote scripture, but has never read the bible.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“When i look to my past i'm not believe in god but for future god is hope.”
― Kjiva

“I'm trap in marriage with gangsta rhyme and my street life.”
― Kjiva

“Why should i expect yes cos everything i get no”
― Kjiva

“Laugh with fake id's but i have permanent license of pain in eyes”
― Kjiva

“Winner goes with the flow, History Maker against the flow”
― Kjiva, Murder: the gangster rhymes

“I'm raised from gutter to protect another gutter”
― Kjiva

“I believe hip hop’s characteristic beliefs as a whole are misunderstood, underappreciated and highly underestimated.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“The misconception is that the genre is a breeding ground for negativity; that it is the birthplace of violence and misogynistic attitudes, and the genesis of every kind of unfavorable stereotype imaginable. When, in fact, if looked at through the lens of neutrality and open-mindedness, the virtues of hip hop far outweigh the negative stigma attached to it.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“Hip hop in its purest form has evolved, inspired, educated and created a lucrative independent revenue stream for what was once a poverty-stricken, hopeless class of artists.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“Hip hop music (and the entire category) is one of few that unite fans of all colors, races, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, ages and genders.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“According to a study conducted by the Oxford African American Studies Center, hip hop is part of and speaks to a long line of black American and African traditions. Many observers also make a connection between rap and West African griot tradition, the art of wandering storytellers known for their knowledge of local settings and their superior vocal skills.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“Since hip hop emerged from the South Bronx in the 1970s, it has become an international, multi-billion-dollar phenomenon. It has grown to encompass more than just rap music. Hip hop has created a culture that incorporates ethnicity, art, politics, fashion, technology and urban life.” This debunks the widely accepted argument that the genre is inherently divisive. With so many factors converging to create such an intricate, informative and multi-faceted genre, whose history and impact have bridged barriers between artist and society, it is not too complicated an endeavor to understand that its relevance repudiates its notorious reputation.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“As millions use social media as a primary source of information, the risk of falling victim to being misinformed is high. Readers who quickly scan newsfeeds tend to only read (and share information about) a headline: focusing on “the hook.” Whether due to complacency or lack of time, few explore the content. This allows bogus media outlets to descend on the unsuspecting (and unprepared) seekers of instant information, creating false stories with dazzling one-liners, secure in the knowledge that there will be little effort to pursue confirmation or research an entire story.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“The business of hip hop is probably the most tangible example of the genre’s dramatic maturation.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“For so-called conscious rappers, it is an opportunity to rap about ways to educate others about African American history, politics and even relationships: all of which would be missed if society merely focused on the “hook” and ignored the influence.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“No one can identify the uninformed until they voice their ignorance about a topic. Silence is a fool’s best friend. Sadly, he is often too foolish to realize it.”
― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

“Keep chippin' away at that marble block until it becomes a statue”
― Young Langston