Nipsey Hussle

I identify myself as a hustler since I was a young kid.

The artist part of me always wants to be appreciated. I read every review. But I never wanted to seek validation by awards or anything controlled by politics.

I grew up in an environment where being polite was taken as a weakness. So I just fought everybody.

Cardi B put a lot of work in.

If you don't know your full-throttle history, the whole story of how you came to where you are, it's kind of hard to put things together.

In 2013, the week before I dropped 'Crenshaw,' 'Complex' wrote an article that said that Nipsey Hussle is one of the top 25 underperforming artists. I was so offended that I responded with my own opinion about these journalists - their point of view is not validated in our culture.

I always wanted to operate at the highest altitude, just in terms of hip-hop and the music.

My career as Nipsey Hussle is based on my life as Ermias Asghedom.

My music is influenced by L.A. culture.

L.A. hip-hop is so different; it's so diverse. Out here, it's, like, funk-inspired; it's, like, '70s-skating-rink-inspired at times. It's Zapp-and-Roger-inspired; it's house-party-era-inspired.

My experience with power, you can maintain it, or you get it taken from you. You get you some newfound power and go crazy, and it get taken from you quick.

We was able to become real successful in the mixtape space.

As an artist, as a brand, as a rapper, as a musician, you know you got a window and a lot of people, even an athlete; they don't have no exit strategy. It's just living in the false reality that it's going to be like this forever.

Doing music to pay bills is an uncomfortable situation. I never wanted to be in that situation.

I'm touring the world, not doing nothing against the law, getting money to feed my family. I got employees that have felonies, and they can't get jobs. They work for me.

I seen a lot of artists be hot for a minute, and then that's it, and somebody else come in.

I always had faith in my creative capacity.

One pillar to wealth is having residual income.

I say that in the most humble way: I always knew that I could perform with the best of 'em and I could deliver with the best of 'em.

I'm not in it for fame. I've been famous in the streets already.