--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I loved hip-hop. The first stuff I heard…" description: "\"I loved hip-hop. The first stuff I heard was Public Enemy, and I couldn't believe it. It was amazing, and I've always loved hip-hop.\" — Joaquin Phoenix" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a36/joaquin-phoenix-4581_believe_i-loved-hip-hop-the-first-stuff-i-heard_1894997.jpg" --- # I loved hip-hop. The first stuff I heard was Public Enemy… ![“I loved hip-hop. The first stuff I heard was Public Enemy, and I couldn't believe it. It was amazing, and I've always loved hip-hop.” quote by Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a36/joaquin-phoenix-4581_believe_i-loved-hip-hop-the-first-stuff-i-heard_1894997.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a36/joaquin-phoenix-4581_believe_i-loved-hip-hop-the-first-stuff-i-heard_1894997.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a36/joaquin-phoenix-4581_believe_i-loved-hip-hop-the-first-stuff-i-heard_1894997.jpg) > “I loved hip-hop. The first stuff I heard was Public Enemy, and I couldn't believe it. It was amazing, and I've always loved hip-hop.” [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Discovering hip‑hop through Public Enemy sparked awe and a lifelong passion for the genre. **In simple terms:** Hip‑hop discovery was transformative. Key Takeaway Embrace music that moves you deeply. Themes music culture identity Mood enthusiastic nostalgic Type cultural personal When to use this quote - music appreciation - creative inspiration - cultural education Key Concepts Hip‑hop history personal growth Questions to Reflect On - Which song changed your perspective? - How does music shape your identity? A Different Perspective Taste can be limited by exposure; not everyone experiences the same impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heard/) [Heard Public](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heard-public-2761518/) [Hip hop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hip-hop/) [Hips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hips/) [Hops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hops/) [Loved Hip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved-hip-337812/) [Public enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-enemies/) [Public Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-enemy-382413/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Stuff Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff-heard-2761519/) ## Related quotes > [Public Enemy is the security of the hip-hop party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-d/public-enemy-is-the-security-of-the-hip-hop-party/) [Chuck D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-d/) > [I don't dislike rappers or hip-hop or people who like it. I went to the Def Jam tour in Manchester in the '80s when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/i-don-t-dislike-rappers-or-hip-hop-or-people-who-like-it-i-went-to/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [I played more of an advisory role with Public Enemy. I really trusted them to make the music that they wanted to make, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-rubin/i-played-more-of-an-advisory-role-with-public-enemy-i-really-trusted/) [Rick Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-rubin/) > [Back in the day, when the D.J. would be playing a record, Id be on the mic trying to hype up the crowd. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavor-flav/back-in-the-day-when-the-d-j-would-be-playing-a-record-id-be-on-the/) [Flavor Flav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flavor-flav/) > [I like Public Enemy a great deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-newman/i-like-public-enemy-a-great-deal/) [Randy Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-newman/) > [We never broke up. As long as I'm living and as long as Chuck D is living, Public Enemy is always going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavor-flav/we-never-broke-up-as-long-as-i-m-living-and-as-long-as-chuck-d-is/) [Flavor Flav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flavor-flav/) > [I always took quite seriously the things that Chuck D. of Public Enemy had to say. He's always been someone I've learned quite a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-always-took-quite-seriously-the-things-that-chuck-d-of-public-enemy/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Public Enemy started out as a benchmark in rap music in the mid-1980s. We felt there was a need to actually progress the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-d/public-enemy-started-out-as-a-benchmark-in-rap-music-in-the-mid-1980s/) [Chuck D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-d/) > [I think the Internet was the saving grace for Public Enemy. Before that, travelling the world saved Public Enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-d/i-think-the-internet-was-the-saving-grace-for-public-enemy-before/) [Chuck D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-d/) > [In Hollywood gratitude is Public Enemy Number One.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hedda-hopper/in-hollywood-gratitude-is-public-enemy-number-one/) [Hedda Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hedda-hopper/) > [Because I have an opinion, I have become public enemy number one to the Fox News Channel and the right wing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/because-i-have-an-opinion-i-have-become-public-enemy-number-one-to/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [I went from being an ailing child to a public enemy,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-morita/i-went-from-being-an-ailing-child-to-a-public-enemy/) [Pat Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-morita/) > [If anyone wants to know what the definition of 'dope' means, it's: 'Definition of Public Enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavor-flav/if-anyone-wants-to-know-what-the-definition-of-dope-means-it-s/) [Flavor Flav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flavor-flav/) > [I've always loved hip-hop, since I was a kid, that's the music that I loved. I think everyone of our generation kind of fantasized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-ve-always-loved-hip-hop-since-i-was-a-kid-that-s-the-music-that-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I believe when you are a celebrity you have a platform to be heard and it's up to the public to determine what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuliana-rancic/i-believe-when-you-are-a-celebrity-you-have-a-platform-to-be-heard/) [Giuliana Rancic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuliana-rancic/) ## More by Joaquin Phoenix > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I enjoy writing rhymes and sitting alone in a room listening to beats. It's pretty amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-enjoy-writing-rhymes-and-sitting-alone-in-a-room-listening-to-beats/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [It's an amazing feeling to go into a studio and really be alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-s-an-amazing-feeling-to-go-into-a-studio-and-really-be-alone/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I began acting when River was doing this TV series and they needed two kids for the show, so they got me and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-began-acting-when-river-was-doing-this-tv-series-and-they-needed/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be-kind-to-an-animal/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [My parents were just searching for an alternative way of raising their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/my-parents-were-just-searching-for-an-alternative-way-of-raising/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The reason I keep making movies is I hate the last thing I did. I'm trying to rectify my wrongs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-reason-i-keep-making-movies-is-i-hate-the-last-thing-i-did-i-m/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I once told a journalist that girls call me 'Kitten,' but I couldn't have been more sarcastic, and no matter how many times I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-once-told-a-journalist-that-girls-call-me-kitten-but-i-couldn-t/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [When I go out with the ladies, I don't force them to pronounce my name. I tell them I like to go by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/when-i-go-out-with-the-ladies-i-don-t-force-them-to-pronounce-my-name/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I have this horrible sense of humor where I think discomfort is funny - partly because I experience discomfort a lot, and it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-have-this-horrible-sense-of-humor-where-i-think-discomfort-is-funny/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The expectation is this low, gravelly voice for John, but I went through his early recordings and there were songs in there where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-expectation-is-this-low-gravelly-voice-for-john-but-i-went/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Do I have a large frog in my hair? I have the sensation that something is eating my brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/do-i-have-a-large-frog-in-my-hair-i-have-the-sensation-that-something/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Well, I think that you know, I threatened myself with quitting after every movie. But I think everybody does that, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/well-i-think-that-you-know-i-threatened-myself-with-quitting-after/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [There is no need for fur - since there are compassionate alternatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/there-is-no-need-for-fur-since-there-are-compassionate-alternatives/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The only reason why I would like to be accepted? Because if your movies don't do well, after a while you don't get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-only-reason-why-i-would-like-to-be-accepted-because-if-your/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) [Explore all 109 Joaquin Phoenix quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. 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