Michael Dapaah Quotes

With every record I put out, I got a bit more success, a bigger following in cities I would play in, and occasionally a bit of radio play.

I was one of the first artists to make a buzz about '106 & Park.' If it wasn't for that show, I wouldn't be the entertainer that I am today.

Years ago, when I first started being a big star, I had fans that were fanatical. It was when 'Jolene' was a big hit.

Before 'Panda,' I had a buzz already.

When you are a commercial music artist, your music depends on your popularity.

When 'And Then What' was made, Jeezy already had a street appeal, but 'And Then What' put him on the national appeal.

Nas really introduced the world and a lot of people to me - that was ideal as far as me first coming in.

When I put out my first mixtape, '50 Cent is the Future,' it was the first tape where an artist did the entire tape in song format.

I was very blessed with 'N Sync. It was a big success and it was a lot of fun.

I toured with Skrillex, did an HBO commercial with Diplo. In the hip hop movement, I was the first artist Travis Scott ever featured with before he blew up. I had the songs with Chris Brown and Tyga. I've worked with some of the biggest artists in the world.

To come out in the music business, you only really get one shot. A lot of people get to play small gigs first, and build up that way, without anyone really seeing them.

Every song I put on a record could be a single and I just pack my bags for it... and the minute it takes off, I'm not gonna be home for a while.

The rappers have gone in and created a lot of hit music based upon my influence. And they'll tell you if you ask.

I have no ambitions to be a pop star.

I started rapping because I wanted people to hear what I have to say, I want as many people to hear me as possible, and I do everything in my power to make that pop.

Unless I've got Katy Perry on the cover of my CD, it's going to be tough to sell a lot of records.

'Never Gonna Give You Up' in 1987 was a huge international hit followed by several more, and while I appreciated how lucky I was, it catapulted me into a completely new world and simply took over my life.

I like Lil Wayne.

In 1999, I just came out of putting out the song 'Vivrant Thing' and 'Breathe and Stop' off the 'Amplified' album. Clive Davis signed me to Arista.

When our video of 'Smooth Criminal' came out, suddenly we started getting all kinds of offers. We were getting calls from TV shows like 'Ellen DeGeneres' and from record labels.

Somebody had given me a copy of 'Hunky Dory,' which had yet to be a hit, although it was starting to percolate. I'd seen a couple of pictures of David, with his interesting hairdo and outfits, and I decided to seek him out, which wasn't difficult back then, as he was eager to do any kind of publicity.

I'm really excited to be chosen as a VEVO LIFT artist. It's a great opportunity to reach millions more music fans with my sound and let them see the real Rita.

Someday we may have as many followers as the harpsichord.

I'm not like Stephanie Mills or Whitney Houston with actual hits. My fans think everything I did was a hit.

I remember the first time I saw the 'Sugarhill Gang' on Soul Train. I was 11 or 12. I was like, 'What's going on? How did those guys get on national TV?' And then, when I was a little older, a rapper from the neighborhood got a record deal. I was shocked.