Hip-hop is a complex music and culture that has been reduced to a one-dimensional critique. Hip-hop's messages aren't all bad. Neither are they all good.

And just as you can find hip-hop lyrics beating up on all these groups, including young Black men themselves, the primary producers of the music, you can also find lyrics celebrating them.

I'm not a poster boy for misogyny and I don't think hip-hop should be either.

Locally lived hip-hop culture that is giving many of America's youth the tool they need to survive and thrive in America, in the face of public policy that have written too many young people off.

I agree that a lot of mainstream corporate sold hip-hop is self-hating.

Hope knows no fear.Hope dares to blossom even inside the abysmal abyss.Hope secretly feeds and strengthens promise.

Best way to deal with fear is to confront it.

One thing I've learned in all these years is not to make love when you really don't feel it

Love teaches a good person to do bad and a bad person to do good.

I don’t fear you. It’s my feelings for you that I fear.

If you love the game and you love playing, just have fun and enjoy it. Work hard and don't get bogged down by it.

As to how you'll help me," he says. "Well, we have met the Answer, have we not?" He turns back to look at us, his eyes glinting. "It's time for them to meet the Ask.

Our tradition in this country has not been to deny health information to interested individuals when they claim that they can handle it and are willing to pay for the cost of getting it.

The culture industry not so much adapts to the reactions of its customers as it counterfeits them.

Perhaps love is a compelling necessity imposed on man by God that has something to do with suffering