I was always a laid-back, subdued person, and I just try to let that speak through my music. — Rakim Copy Share Image
We need the media to know that some of us are really passionate about music. — Rakim Copy Share Image
Music, life, a lot of the things that we go through in the world, a lot of questions that we have about… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Maybe I'm too sensitive to the struggle, but I think a lot of people that listen to music are trying to escape. — Rakim Copy Share Image
My aunt Ruth Brown was a jazz musician. I got hooked on it at a young age, understanding what John Coltrane was… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Playing the sax and then enjoying jazz music, man - it's like I learned how to find words inside of the beat. — Rakim Copy Share Image
Don't even go to the studio if you don't think that your music's going to do something. You're wasting your time and… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Without no disrespect to any artist, there's a lot of degrading music out there as far as degrading the culture and degrading… — Rakim Copy Share Image
You've really got to appreciate an artist that's really outspoken and feels like his music can change the world. — Rakim Copy Share Image
Dabbling in music and being in music when I was young I had my own view of what I thought music was… — Rakim Copy Share Image
A lot of times when people listen to music it's because they feel down, and that's when serious hip-hop comes into play.… — Rakim Copy Share Image
When you listen to old-school music, you can smell your mother's food in the kitchen. You can feel where you was when… — Rakim Copy Share Image
My approach to writing rhymes went hand in hand with the music. I'd try to make different rhythms with my rhymes on… — Rakim Copy Share Image
My thing was, I loved music. I played music: I played the saxophone. So the little bit of music knowhow I had,… — Rakim Copy Share Image
One of the main reasons why it didn't work out for me and Aftermath is because I felt my music should sound… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Back in the day, music imitated life. Now it's the opposite way around: life is imitating music. It's like whatever the rappers… — Rakim Copy Share Image
When me and Eric did songs back in the day, we didn't go and sit down in front of no A&R. We… — Rakim Copy Share Image
I love Jay-Z, I love Kanye, and I praise the way he's been able to bring more business out of the jungle. — Rakim Copy Share
Elements burst, gave birth the the verse, get the pen from the nurse, but hook the mic up first. — Rakim Copy Share
I think rap was a better move for me but football's been my love since I learned how to walk. I was gonna be… — Rakim Copy Share
There are certain things that I wish people knew - certain things that I feel I started and certain things that I'm responsible for.… — Rakim Copy Share
So I start my mission- leave my residence Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents — Rakim Copy Share
My approach to writing rhymes went hand in hand with the music. I'd try to make different rhythms with my rhymes on the track… — Rakim Copy Share
My whole thing is if it wasn't for people like ya'll and people like them I wouldn't be me. I love every minute of… — Rakim Copy Share
My son plays football so I coach a couple of his teams. My youngest son just started playing last year and I assistant coached… — Rakim Copy Share
I always had deep respect for my peoples 'cause of the love they gave me and the know how that they showed me through… — Rakim Copy Share
When I broke up with Eric B., I went on a little hiatus. Then all I was trying do is find producers. It's real… — Rakim Copy Share
![“A lot of times when people listen to music it's because they feel down, and that's when serious hip-hop comes into play. When times is hard, people can hear a rapper that inspires them to do what they [are] supposed to do.” quote by Rakim](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/44b/rakim-1390_down-and_a-lot-of-times-when-people-listen-to-mus_2496852.jpg)
