Mainstream Success Quotes

There's something very cool about that indie spirit that I try to hang on to even now with the bigger films that I'm working on.

At 18, I wanted to work with the creme de la creme because I thought that was the only way to be successful. But I don't think any A-lister has done as many B-grade films as I have.

Steve Earle had a mainstream career. Dwight Yoakam had a mainstream career. Willie Nelson did. But they always made good music, they always stuck to who they were. They weren't relying on radio like a lot of people are in Nashville.

I don't want to be a small-time, independent, successful rapper.

I never felt like 'I'm an underground dude' or 'I can only be hot in New York.'

Drag Race' has given many super-talented people 15 minutes of fame... Many don't strike while the iron's hot though and are only really seen again sitting at finales or reunions for the show.

Everybody wants to be on the front cover of 'People' and 'Rolling Stone.'

I don't know how to sell out. If I tried to sell out I don't think I could.

As big as Metallica are, they're still not like a pop act. As big as they are, they're still not U2 or Lady Gaga. It's still underground.

We never said we were hard-core or that we didn't want our music crossing over or being popular.

When independent films break through and actually make it into any level of mainstream-ness or get seen by people or find a life actually in theaters, it's extraordinary. And it doesn't happen that often.

By being part of films like 'Judwaa 2,' I can ensure that I garner more fans, who'd then want to watch me in other powerful films.

I don't want to focus too much on trying to write a song for radio.

In 2010, aside from that niche of music that I have no interest in - Black Eyed Peas territory, disposable pop stuff - there's almost an incentive to go back to making music as adventurous and groundbreaking as you can, because nobody gets a big hit anymore.

I'm not someone who gets to play The O2 and places like that, but that's the kind of rock and roll venue. The popularity of stand-up means that some people are getting to play rock star venues.

I think artists should be able to do different things whenever they want and I like the way I am. I'm like - I ain't gonna say the only street rapper, but the only mainstream, new, young street rapper there is right now and I'm doing well with it.

I don't really know what 'selling out' is exactly. I would sell out if I could, but nobody's buying it. I would love to go mainstream, but my comedy is too edgy. It's always too dirty. It's always too filthy. I'm dying to sell out. But I love doing comedy, I love touring, and I think I would do everything for free.

So how do you make it as a mainstream entertainer? Who knows? But I think you have to be uncomfortable, right? You have to make yourself uncomfortable. All success stories depend on that. That's why I might start sleeping on hardwood floors and taking cold showers.

Everybody's all up on the EDM bandwagon now, because it's, like, another viable conduit for traditional pop music to ride for a bit so they can get out of their little stagnant pool and make a dance hit.

The Situation has mass appeal.

Initially, I wanted to do films with A-list actors when I was struggling. I was hoping that I could also get that platform where I'm launched with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan or Aamir Khan... and with them my career could also start, but it didn't happen. And then came 'Queen.'

It's great to bring urban music to the commercial scene.

I think one reason my books have found mainstream success is that they're written from a skeptical point of view.

Lilith Fair was a great experience for us the first time we played it. We were... not a new band, but a new band as far as mainstream kind of airplay or success.

At no time was I trying to write a crossover record.