--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When your so focused on what people say…" description: "\"When your so focused on what people say, how can your really be focused on the music? If you're concerned with what someone says, you aren't working on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c88/nas-650_believe_when-your-so-focused-on-what-people-say_2118702.png" --- # When your so focused on what people say, how can your… ![“When your so focused on what people say, how can your really be focused on the music? If you're concerned with what someone says, you aren't working on a real record. You're working on something that's just for now, to please people this very second... because you don't believe in yourself.” quote by Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c88/nas-650_believe_when-your-so-focused-on-what-people-say_2118702.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c88/nas-650_believe_when-your-so-focused-on-what-people-say_2118702.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c88/nas-650_believe_when-your-so-focused-on-what-people-say_2118702.png) > “When your so focused on what people say, how can your really be focused on the music? If you're concerned with what someone says, you aren't working on a real record. You're working on something that's just for now, to please people this very second... because you don't believe in yourself.” [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being overly concerned with others’ opinions distracts from authentic creative focus and self‑belief. **In simple terms:** Worrying about others stops true artistic focus. Key Takeaway Ignore critics, trust your vision. Themes creativity self‑confidence authenticity Mood determined reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - studio recording - live performance - songwriting - personal branding Key Concepts self‑esteem external validation artistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance feedback with self‑trust? - What habits keep you grounded in your art? A Different Perspective If you never hear feedback, you may miss genuine improvement opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe in you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-in-you/) [Believe in yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-in-yourself/) [Concerned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerned/) [Don't believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-t-believe/) [Focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) [Focused Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused-music-336107/) [Focused People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused-people-697501/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Concerned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-concerned-1020874/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-say/) [Please](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/please/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Records](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/records/) ## Related quotes > [I'm focused on the music. I think, as long as I keep making music just because I like to make it, people are gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bishop-nehru/i-m-focused-on-the-music-i-think-as-long-as-i-keep-making-music-just/) [Bishop Nehru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bishop-nehru/) > [I don't look at myself as a designer; I'm focused on music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-scott/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-designer-i-m-focused-on-music/) [Travis Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-scott/) > [I just don't want to stay focused on music. I want to branch off and do other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trina/i-just-don-t-want-to-stay-focused-on-music-i-want-to-branch-off-and/) [Trina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trina/) > [You have to be very focused about the music that you have inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfonso-cuaron/you-have-to-be-very-focused-about-the-music-that-you-have-inside/) [Alfonso Cuaron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfonso-cuaron/) > [I've always been shy, but I see that as a good thing because it kept me focused on music. When I was in seventh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-hayes/i-ve-always-been-shy-but-i-see-that-as-a-good-thing-because-it-kept/) [Hunter Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-hayes/) > [I was never in the business of trying to put my name out there - I was really focused on music and records and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-rechtshaid/i-was-never-in-the-business-of-trying-to-put-my-name-out-there-i-was/) [Ariel Rechtshaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-rechtshaid/) > [More than meeting people and going out with girls, I'm focused on my music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-david/more-than-meeting-people-and-going-out-with-girls-i-m-focused-on-my/) [Craig David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-david/) > [I always felt that the music sells by itself. The music has always been the successful aspect on my career, and that means that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enya/i-always-felt-that-the-music-sells-by-itself-the-music-has-always/) [Enya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enya/) > [I always tell myself, 'When I'm working on my record, I won't cut my hair.' I get so focused on the music that I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/i-always-tell-myself-when-i-m-working-on-my-record-i-won-t-cut-my/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [I always tell myself, When Im working on my record, I wont cut my hair. I get so focused on the music that Im…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/i-always-tell-myself-when-im-working-on-my-record-i-wont-cut-my-hair/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [Music was my life...It was everything to me, even though I was in school majoring in English. I was still very focused on music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/music-was-my-life-it-was-everything-to-me-even-though-i-was-in-school/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [Where my tastes in music are concerned, I'm a real maximalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-levine/where-my-tastes-in-music-are-concerned-i-m-a-real-maximalist/) [James Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-levine/) > [I'm a mutt as far as music is concerned because I listen to everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-timberlake/i-m-a-mutt-as-far-as-music-is-concerned-because-i-listen-to-everything/) [Justin Timberlake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-timberlake/) > [“TV is not the “entertainment” medium it is assumed to be. Newspapers and periodicals aren’t either. Pop music is “concerned” music, with lyrics and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/tv-is-not-the-entertainment-medium-it-is-assumed-to-be-newspapers-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Unfortunately, as far as the music is concerned, what defines relevance is whether you are on the radio or whether you are on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-mullen-jr/unfortunately-as-far-as-the-music-is-concerned-what-defines-relevance/) [Larry Mullen, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-mullen-jr/) ## More by Nas > [I need the best things in life, that's women, thats cars. Cigars in Venice, bottle on ice, thats priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-need-the-best-things-in-life-that-s-women-thats-cars-cigars-in/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I had a pretty public divorce. They're not easy - divorces - and it took me a long time to really get through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-had-a-pretty-public-divorce-they-re-not-easy-divorces-and-it-took/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If you scared to take chances, you'll never have the answers...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/if-you-scared-to-take-chances-you-ll-never-have-the-answers/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Read more learn more, change the globe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/read-more-learn-more-change-the-globe/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think hip hop allows us to talk about everything, and Africa is what I choose to talk about now. If people are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-hip-hop-allows-us-to-talk-about-everything-and-africa-is-what/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Life is short is what some n\* said, not if you measure life - by how one lives and what he did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/life-is-short-is-what-some-n-said-not-if-you-measure-life-by-how-one/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Calling Michelle 'Obama Barack's baby mama?' Tell me, is that acceptable? But the Obamas aren't the only targets. Fox's pattern of race-baiting and fear-mongering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/calling-michelle-obama-barack-s-baby-mama-tell-me-is-that-acceptable/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [With age comes common sense and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/with-age-comes-common-sense-and-wisdom/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [It's foul what this money could do, cash corrupts the loyal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/it-s-foul-what-this-money-could-do-cash-corrupts-the-loyal/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [This morning I got a call, nearly split my wig. This social network said Nas go and get your kid. She's on Twitter, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/this-morning-i-got-a-call-nearly-split-my-wig-this-social-network/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I want to sound like an instrument. I want my voice and my words to marry the beat. I go with the rhythm of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-want-to-sound-like-an-instrument-i-want-my-voice-and-my-words-to/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [There needs to be structures in place to do something about misrepresentation about hip hop. When awards are given out and the media talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/there-needs-to-be-structures-in-place-to-do-something-about/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I've learned not to be surprised by what people do no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-ve-learned-not-to-be-surprised-by-what-people-do-no-more/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Nasty Nas Enterprises, mastermind, made men. My success symbolizes loyalty, great friends. Dedication, hard work, routine builds character. In a world full of snakes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/nasty-nas-enterprises-mastermind-made-men-my-success-symbolizes/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) [Explore all 427 Nas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## 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. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) [Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When your so focused on what people say, how can your really be focused on the music? If you're concerned with what someone says, you aren't working on a real record. 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