Share
×
Inspirational Quotes
Authors
Professions
Topics
Tags
Quote
I want to be necessary and do good works. I ain't here to waste nobody's time, because I don't want you to waste mine.
Mos Def
Share
Change background
T
T
T
Change font
Original
TAGS & TOPICS
Mos Def
Age: 50
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
Works
Nobody
Good
Time
Mines
Mine
Waste
Necessary
More quotes by Mos Def
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
But even creeps deserve to live someplace halfway decent.
Mos Def
Record companies are not necessarily interested in you realizing your artistic dream. The bottom line is that they got to sell records.
Mos Def
Fear not of men because men must die. Mind over matter and soul before flesh.
Mos Def
With guys I revere, like Marcus Garvey or Malcolm X, their look is less about style than purpose and the expression of beauty. It wasn't just about being noticed, you know?
Mos Def
I'm just an artist and I'm doin' what I like to do.
Mos Def
I'm a passionate person. I'm a lot of things, like most people are. Most people are dynamic. The focus is not on me though, I'm a screen. The aim is to always keep myself in the position where the screen is clear.
Mos Def
At its heart, music is all higher mathematics.
Mos Def
So rather than really have, like a close relationship to anything that's coming out today, people are just, they've got it on as background music. It's kind of the same way the cabdrivers use music it's very disposable. But, that doesn't mean there aren't a great number of artists who are doing things to change that.
Mos Def
To me, it's like happiness is about happiness, but happiness is a fight.
Mos Def
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
I thought everybody got into rock 'n' roll because they didn't want to follow instructions.
Mos Def
You want to know how to rhyme, then learn how to add. It's mathematics.
Mos Def
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
When people say I don't see you enough, well just because you don't see me don't mean I don't exist or just 'cause you haven't heard me don't mean I haven't been making noise. But if I keep making noise, you'll pick up.
Mos Def
I'd bet a million dollars on DOOM against Lil' Wayne
Mos Def
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
And from the moment that I saw you, I knew you was trouble, But I disregarded detour signs, And did not stop til you was mine. I guess God was like, 'Aight, fine.' Careful what you wish for, cause you just might get it in heaps. Try to give it back, He be like, 'Nah, that's yours to keep.'
Mos Def
Restlessness is my nemesis. It's hard to just chill and sit still.
Mos Def
Every time you ask yourself where hip-hop's going, ask yourself where you're going how are you doing?
Mos Def