Killer Mike

I don't accept 'political rapper' because I don't give a damn about either political party. I give a damn about the people. My rap comes from a sociological standpoint rather than picking a particular side or dogma or ideology. I just want people to be free to do what they want, as long as they don't harm others.

A lot of times, elections are lost, and the hope of the public is lost because they don't turn out.

Black people shouldn't have permanent friends or enemies: they should have permanent interest.

You can't argue that hip-hop rots away the moral character of kids or rots their brain and still see middle-class white kids going to college who are listening to hip-hop. Going on to become healthy adults listening to hip-hop.

I used to have go-karts and mopeds and motorcycles when I was a kid. Then my grandpa let me drive a real car at about 13 or 14 and I just... I never cared about bikes again after that.

No Child Left Behind left a lot of kids behind.

We are raising a generation of kids where everyone gets a trophy. But in real life, everyone don't get a trophy.

It's a totally different spiel when I talk at Morehouse. But when I'm talking at MIT? At the University of Cincinnati? I'm telling white people, in order to stop systemic racism, you must first befriend, become a colleague of, get to know intimately, put yourself culturally in the framework of someone who doesn't look like you.

Freedom is not something you're even trying to fight for; you are free. Go. Make sure you live free every day.

Being a cop must be hard. My dad was one and never wanted any of his children to follow in his footsteps.

I prefer a real villain to a false hero.

You a role model by way of someone will model after your role. They'll model themselves after what they perceive is success. That doesn't mean they take your morality and virtue seriously. They want what you want, and they're willing to do what you do to get it.