Jay-Z Quotes

Hip-hop was the culture that I grew up with; I am part of this culture.

As with all the other rappers I've worked with, Biggie and I shared common ground. Even though Biggie grew up in Brooklyn and I grew up in Chicago, we came from the same 'hood.

Historically, hip-hop is about a generation of artists rapping about the realities they see in their neighborhoods or the 'truths' they hear growing up in their homes.

Hip-Hop is bigger than the government.

I think every generation has that movement of hip-hop that you know you're playing it and you definitely have that moment of like, "Why am I saying this so enthusiastically? Why am I so stoked and psyched to say these lyrics?"

I don't think hip-hop is a dying art form. I think it's impossible for hip-hop to be a dying art form.

It's just these moments in hip-hop where you feel invincible. It felt good hearing the music on the radio and in cars, skating rinks, and clubs.

Rap is definitely a youthful expression.

Who gave it that title, gangsta rap? It's reality rap. It's about what's really going on.

I grew up around hip-hop so I didn't think it was about being cool or being black or being white or whatever.

When I was growing up, hip-hop was still a pretty specialised thing.

Rap is the only interesting music left - it's the only genre that's still pushing itself, and experimenting in a way that I find exciting.

When you talk about rap you have to understand that rap is part of the Hip-Hop culture.

Hip-hop is a way of life. It isn't a genre in truth in 'American Idol.'

I love hip hop, and I have a bunch of urban songs I write for fun that I can't put on my albums because people would laugh and point.

I love hip-hop, but hip-hop is a way of life.

I really like the whole urban, hip-hop kind of thing.

Ninety percent of the general public aren't gangstas, so all of the rappers aren't going to be gangstas.

Highbridge - everybody rap in Highbridge; everyone grew up rappin' or playing basketball.

Hip-hop is as much an attitude and perspective as it is a music form.

Hip-hop became the voice of rebellion and the youth, as rock music did in the '60s.

My core thing is gangster rap, but a lot of my music is melodic and carries a message of survival.

Hip-hop has always been evolving.

Being faith-driven, being a hip-hop artist, being artistic in an urban context - all of those things make you unique, and you put yourself on the outside of what's considered the norm.

Hip hop helped me learn about a whole bunch of American culture.