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

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

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

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

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!

She looks as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

I've never had a very great public life.

Broken Bells reminds me how much fun I have making music.

Note that there was no claim for these attacks [on 9/11]. There were no demands. There were no statements. It was a silent piece of terror.

Your garden will reveal yourself.

Wanna spot me?" "No thanks. How about I just scream verbal encouragements at you?

I sometimes wonder if it is just me, or if there are other women who figure out where they are supposed to be by going nowhere.

Hip-hop is a beautiful culture. It's inspirational, because it's a culture of survivors. You can create beauty out of nothingness.

You need some knowledge to recognize knowledge, so where does the first knowledge come from?

I laugh, mirthless, a mad laugh. I savor the scowl on her face, the hate in her eyes. She was like a machine; she was cold and emotionless, bound by logic alone. And I broke her.