Quote

I don't hate nobody. I hate certain conditions that are inflicted upon the people - and they're helpless with it.

Mos Def

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Mos Def
Age: 51
Born: 1973
Born: December 11
Actor
Composer
Film Actor
Film Producer
Rapper
Record Producer
Singer
Singer-Songwriter
Songwriter
Television Actor
Brooklyn
New York
Yasiin Bey
Dante Terrell Smith
Dante Beze
Black Dante
Conditions
Nobody
Upon
Hate
Certain
People
Inflicted
Helpless

More quotes by Mos Def

Image
I never had any ambitions of being a movie star or anything like that, but you know, this is nice.
Mos Def
Image
It wouldn't be fair to cast aspersions on an entire cultural movement based on the actions of a few. To quote my grandfather, 'One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch.'
Mos Def
Image
I can't control what people think. I'm not trying to manipulate people's thoughts or sentiments. I write all the time. You have to experience life, make observations, and ask questions. It's machine-like how things are run now in hip-hop, and my ambitions are different.
Mos Def
Image
Every time you ask yourself where hip-hop's going, ask yourself where you're going how are you doing?
Mos Def
Image
I think hip-hop is actually one of the most challenging things that's happened in music in a long time. The people who are in charge of what people see or hear are afraid. What you hear on top 40 or what you see on BET or MTV is not a fair representation of what is really going on...
Mos Def
Image
I don't mind being black. I'm black out loud. It's more than the people that they are, it's the condition that they represent.
Mos Def
Image
I just don't think it's very dignified to ask people to like you. You can just wind up being somebody's ottoman.
Mos Def
Image
You can positively affect and change a social circumstance with art, and it’s vital that a change happens now.
Mos Def
Image
My presence speaks volumes before I say a word.
Mos Def
Image
Fame is like getting across the street. It's like, if there's nothing to be across the street for, it's a pointless destination. It's like, I gotta get across the street, man! I gotta be there! I gotta be there! Then you get across the street and you're like, Yeah I'm here! And then, that's it. Fame doesn't make you particularly happy.
Mos Def
Image
The new moon rode high in the crown of the metropolis. Shinin', like Who on top of this?
Mos Def
Image
You've got to validate every day. There are those who just put a stamp on it and say, This is gonna be a good day and I'm not gonna let anything else make it a bad day.
Mos Def
Image
Mos Def is a name that I built and cultivated over the years, it's a name that the streets taught me, a figure of speech that was given to me by the culture and by my environment, and I feel I've done quite a bit with that name. [But] it's time to expand and move on.
Mos Def
Image
Restlessness is my nemesis. It's hard to just chill and sit still.
Mos Def
Image
Make today's solid ground out of yesterday's quicksand.
Mos Def
Image
If Islam's sole interest is the welfare of mankind, then Islam is the strongest advocate of human rights anywhere on Earth.
Mos Def
Image
African art is functional, it serves a purpose. It's not a dormant. It's not a means to collect the largest cheering section. It should be healing, a source a joy. Spreading positive vibrations.
Mos Def
Image
Fear not of men because men must die. Mind over matter and soul before flesh.
Mos Def
Image
You have to experience life, make observations, and ask questions.
Mos Def
Image
I've always loved music and I love the language, which is a huge reason why I'm part of theater.
Mos Def