The first rap record came out in '79, but hip-hop began in '69.

I was reckless with records. I would pull them out by my fingertips. I would put my hands all over them.

Too many times, people are hearing the story from the second floor. Nobody's heard the story from the basement.

I needed to be able to hear the mix before you do - that's when I came up with the "peek-a-boo" system.

That diversity of production styles and diversity of lyrical structure - I miss that.

Hip-hop has always been chronologically misunderstood.

I used to travel 200 days of the year. I had to calm it down because I have a 17-year-old daughter going on 30, and a 23-year-old son. I want to be around for them.

There's no such thing as a perfect historical film.

A lot of journalists say, "Tell us about the '80s." Nobody wants to know about the '70s!

People always make choices, always take sides!

To begin cooking duck at one in the morning is one of the finest acts of madness that can be undertaken by a human being who is not mad.

Be fearless in your choices and don't be afraid to be yourself!

My children are my children. There's no doubt about that at all. They're very strong towards me, very protective, and I towards them. It works both ways.

Without zest, what is life? Just waiting for death? It can't be anything else. Only with zest do you live; otherwise you vegetate.

Violence doesn't have a race, a class, a religion, or a nationality, but it does have a gender.

It's like many other things in life, Ellie. You keep on the path and all's well. You get off it and the next thing you know you're lost if you're not lucky.

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

I'm a hopeful romantic who adores novels with happy endings, because there are enough sad endings in real life.

I guess I'm one of those girls who can be too honest about things for my own good, but I expect it back. I expect people to be honest and blunt with me, too.