Top 110 Quotes & Sayings by Common

My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life, and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself.

Oh man, I love what the South brings as far as the soul, and I really have noticed from even the early days of listening to OutKast and Goodie Mob that Atlanta and the South has a diverse sound to it. You have bounce music. You have soulful musicians. You have artists with vocals who try to do different things.

The impact of a conscious artist is necessary, and it ripples through the world.

It's our responsibility for the village to say, 'Hey we're going to create these programs,' whether it's sports, creative arts, music, we need some things to give young people positive things to do, and that's including jobs.

I came from the South Side of Chicago wanting to be a rap artist and make videos.

This is a broad thought, but loving yourself and having the support so that you can love yourself is the most important thing that young people in Chicago can get.

Playing basketball is definitely one of my favorite things to do.

Everything I'm saying shouldn't be taken so serious. I'm playing, but at the same token, I'm acknowledging that I'm not always the perfect man; I'm not always doing the right things. That's who I am. I'm working to be better.

Movies and media really can influence us. A few years ago, my daughter wanted to be a dancer; since Obama came into office, she now wants to be a lawyer and get into politics and maybe even be president.

You have to be sincere in your feelings. And fear is one of those, sometimes; doubt is one of those; jealousy, anger - all your emotions are not going to be considered the strong emotions; all of them are not going to be love, happiness, joy.

I was in the heart and soul of Baltimore. I definitely felt a connection to the people. They're really hard-working people that want to have a better life. And I saw the struggle that exists there.

Technically, my first acting job was in one of my videos for a song called 'Retrospect For Life,' which Lauryn Hill directed and featured an actress by the name of N'bushe Wright, who played my girlfriend who was about to be pregnant. I remember being so nervous about it, but now I feel like I can conquer the world with it.

I feel, as an artist, I should be able to express who I am and the things I come from, and the places I want to also be.

I can only speak for myself - there were times when I just wasn't inspired by creating music.

I come from playing sports. I compete, so I gotta be better than I was last year. I gotta get better, and that better gotta come from just growing. From learning new stuff to working on it, experience it in life, and failing.

I loved plays, I loved films, but I had no desire to act until I had just put out my album 'Like Water for Chocolate.' Creatively, I felt like I'd hit a ceiling, and I needed something else to express myself, and I just decided to take acting classes.

Doing acting opened up other creative outlets; it made me feel freer as an artist.

One thing I always loved about hip-hop music was the raw, boom-bap element - it felt powerful and manly.

People that I care about, that I consider being friends of mine, most of the things I discuss with them I wouldn't discuss in public because it's a real relationship. It's not a relationship for the public, you know?

Hip-hop is supposed to help you elevate, or go higher.

What America was built on was being able to say, 'Hey, we're going to come in and use our resources to build for ourselves and our communities and build around that. We're not going to depend on others.'

I learned a long time ago to be honest when I'm talking to other artists. Up-and-coming artists used to come and say something, they would have a demo reel, and I would try to tell them the truth. I don't go up and say something unless I really feel it.

I believe that music is about making quality things, making quality art, and no matter who you decide to work with, you and that person have to come up with something special, come up with something that is excellent material, so whoever hears it and reviews it will like it.

That's why I named my album 'Finding Forever,' because that's what I was thinking about: What did I want to contribute to this world that would live beyond my physical existence?

I think you really have to remember what you loved about making music in the first place. Ultimately, people can be like, 'We've seen this dude in many movies,' but if they hear a song and they're feeling it, they can look past all the personal things and not hold it against you that you're also an actor.

It was incredible to have J Dilla in your dining room making beats - it was one of the greatest experiences I've had.

Man, if I get a chance to speak on the microphone, I've got to say something somewhere in there. You know, I'm going to laugh and have fun, too, but something has to be said that has some substance, because this is a platform, and the power that we have with words and with this microphone is phenomenal.

After you make good, quality music, then it's your job to go out there and promote it and to market it and to get it out there to the people.

People always want to feel better and be inspired. Sometimes we need it. I think the conscious rapper will always be able to live and exist.

I feel like God gives you what you deserve. Whatever that time is, you get what you deserve.

Obviously God knew I wasn't going to make it to the NBA as much as I probably believed. This was divine order.

I want to be the voice of the people; black, white, everyday, oppressed people. A person trying to make it and to do it right.

One thing I have throughout my career, it felt like I did my best to align myself with quality artists, quality work, and it is a situation of steel sharpening steel.

Me as an artist, I've ventured off into doing all types of music. I'll do a jazz album, you know what I mean.

When I started thinking about it, I was like, 'OK, if throughout time I get labeled as a conscious artist, I'll be very much celebrated, in a way, and honored.'

Come close to me baby. Let your love hold you. I know this world is crazy, but what's it without you?

Don't believe in role models, but if I do, then I'm mine

I start thinking: How many souls hip-hop has affected? How many dead folks this art resurrected? How many nations this culture connected? Who am I to judge one's perspective?

Education is what you get from reading the small print; experience is what you get from not reading it.

Now is our time to change the world

Not everyone is the same. You can't label a person just because of what they do or what they've done.

If the eyes are the window to your soul open eyes bring the cold.

To me to be a storyteller is you got to be able to speak the truth. You've got to be able to absorb life and take in life and be able to interpret it in a way that anybody in this room could say, "Man, that's my story. I can relate to that."

We as people have a purpose here to contribute to the Earth, to contribute to people's goodness and good life.

I love black thighs, you sisters better realize That real hair and real eyes get real guys. So before you makeup your face, you better make up your mind.

I put God first, and strive to do my best by being a loving human being, recognizing that sometimes I make mistakes and bad choices.

I just want people to feel like they can achieve something great in their lives. We all go through rough times, but love is the antidote. You've got to dream and just believe in yourself. And if you believe, you will achieve it.

We obviously feel destiny and purpose and do what we do, but within that are ways to help others and to inspire others and to support and encourage people.

When I see people of my likeness, or who are somebody that I feel connected to, doing something great, I fee like I can do it. It gives me some hope and vision.

I attribute my ability to maintain cool to God, self-esteem, and knowing my purpose in life. It can't be based on anything material or external.

I met this girl when I was ten years old, And what I loved most she had so much soul. She was old school, when I was just a shorty Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me.

I am the unarmed black kid who maybe needed a hand, but instead was given a bullet.

Time is real, we can't rewind it... Out of everybody I met, who told the truth? Time did.

Man, just believe in yourself, be able to dream, and know that there's going to be valleys and peaks. Always stay centered, and know that God is the key, the beginning and end of everything you do.

One day it'll all make sense.

If heaven had a height, you would be that tall

As I got to know the people of the Civil Rights Movement, I realized... I am the hopeful black woman who was denied her right to vote. I am the caring white supporter killed on the front lines of freedom. I am the unarmed black kid who maybe needed a hand, but instead was given a bullet. I am the two fallen police officers murdered in the line of duty. 'Selma' has awakened my humanity.

Never lookin' back or too far in front of me; the present is a gift and I just wanna be.

I want a better world, I want love and harmony amongst people no matter what color you are, what race or what background you come from or sexual orientation.

It's hard to see blessings in a violent culture