Cordae

“The artists with lyrical content and who say something seem to outlast the fad rappers - I always noticed that.”

“Hip-hop has always been evolving.”

“Having a dope mindset and good energy is rare, and you just putting a little bit of your light into someone else can change their whole perspective on life just doing that.”

“I want my music to make you reminiscent or nostalgic of your childhood, or take you back to a better place.”

“I don't wanna marginalize myself. I don't wanna be the overly woke rapper, and I don't wanna be the turned-up rapper.”

“The last thing I want to do with my platform is bash another young black man who is getting money.”

“I always wanted to be a Freshman because XXL is really important in the history of hip-hop. It embodies the culture.”

“I've been through college, and I lived in a trailer park for five years. I've lived in the trenches of Maryland, and I've lived in the suburbs. I've seen all aspects of American life.”

“I got a cool car but I live fairly regular.”

“I always say I am myself unapologetically.”

“I just always wear Pumas. I like the work they do in local communities, worldwide.”

“I would always read a lot.”

“When you're not authentic to yourself, you're lying. You're going to get found out and you're going to slip up.”

“If you can do something that's authentic to yourself, how you feel as a person, then it's gonna be different than everybody else because everybody's different.”

“I can rippity rap, lyrical miracle all day, but if you don't have a message behind it and you not saying nothing, it doesn't make sense.”

“I want to impact the world and the culture in a positive way, spread super dope messages and help people through my music.”

“Nobody wants to be nameless. Nobody wanna be forgotten.”

“Nas was a huge influence. That's probably my favorite rapper of all time.”

“I put XXL Freshman on my vision board.”

“Nahmir is just an idiot. He just glorifies street life. He idolizes it.”