Jidenna

“I began my studies in a sound and electrical engineering program, but I ultimately created a major called 'Ritual Art.'”

“I think a lot of people try to be someone else, and Young Thug really is who he is. I love his melodies, how he dresses, how he carries himself.”

“I think hard-core capitalism tends to commercialize everything.”

“If we can believe in our own value, then we won't try to denigrate and diss and just roast women all the time.”

“I feel like we haven't dealt with the ghosts of America's past, and the way to deal with it is to confront it, so every time people see me, I want them to be reminded and to confront that ghost.”

“If one door is closed, break a window anyway.”

“For me, it's important that as you're introducing yourself, you show different dimensions.”

“I think one of the things that I picked up from Nigeria is the constant pressure to be excellent. Parents drill in this responsibility towards family, but also a responsibility toward making sure your family name is heralded.”

“Swanky means classy and funky.”

“I'm the guy on the corner that is slightly peculiar but fun and funky.”

“My name is Jidenna, which means 'to hold or embrace the father' in Igbo. It was my father who gave me this name and who taught me countless parables, proverbs, and principles that made me the man I am today.”

“While the majority of my childhood memories are beautiful, I also have experienced the challenges that Nigeria has faced since independence.”

“Like most people, I had several awakenings.”

“We're social beings, and I need to know and remember where I came from.”

“There are always pluses and minus to commercialization. It broadcasts something to the masses. So that's the plus. The minus is it may lose some of its meaning if you dilute it.”

“I believe what Wondaland is doing is creating depth.”

“First of all, I respect The Game. He's trail-blazed for artists like myself. I appreciate him, having - living in L.A. myself and knowing what he stands for and what he stood for.”

“When I originally came to the U.S., my mother came with a couple hundred dollars to her name. I didn't know we were struggling because she hid that from me. But it was definitely a struggle to get through life and get through school.”

“My nickname is 'Chief' because my father was a chief in Nigeria.”

“I was born in Wisconsin, but I quickly moved to Nigeria as a toddler.”