Kevin Abstract

“I might not ever fully know who I am, but I also believe that I could be whoever I want, whenever I want.”

“The underground always has the best ideas. Sometimes those underground artists transcend and make it to the mainstream, but most of the time, the big guys just steal from us.”

“I just always wanted to be part of something where I felt like I belonged.”

“I never thought I could sing. I still don't.”

“It's OK to get your feelings hurt.”

“I always wanted to make something that was bigger than me, that wasn't just one person.”

“Find people whose morals and vision align with yours, and follow that.”

“I'm super inspired by Master P and early moguls. They were doing everything. I wanna do that, too. Twenty-six albums in one year. It's possible. Very possible.”

“In order to make a change, I have to exist in a traditionally homophobic space such as hip-hop. If I were to just be this queer rapper who only spoke to queer kids... I don't think I could as effectively make a change for another young, black, queer kid growing up in Texas.”

“When you mention Bieber, Lorde, One Direction, I want to be on that list. But at the same time, when you say Lil Uzi Vert, I want my name to pop up, too. I'm kinda in between both. I wanna bring them together and exist.”

“I wanted to blend in 'cause I knew I was different.”

“There are no rules when I'm making stuff. That's why I'm glad I'm not signed. No one's telling me I got to drop this type of single or this video.”

“I think the most important part of the teenage years is wondering.”

“People will tell you for years whatever you have to say isn't important at all. So when you have someone who breaks the mold and speaks up - and you see and identify with that - they become your hero.”

“I think it's awesome when you meet someone that can kind of just get you 110 percent, and no matter how long that lasts, you kind of just take it for what it is and embrace it.”

“Most of the time, with artists like me who go on to become superstars, you never see them when they are still lost and trying to figure life out.”

“Whatever we were saying in our music had to represent something and really stand for something. I just wanted to do something with purpose.”

“I just wanted to have my own dynasty. I wanted my own Cash Money or Roc-A-Fella. Outside of that, I also wanted my own media company.”

“When you're bored, you get creative.”

“I don't know what it is that I love so much about high school, but I'm attached. The empty hallways. The teachers. They made me feel so much.”