--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I think back to my influences and…" description: "\"When I think back to my influences and icons musically, they were my icons musically because, for example, I would look at Rakim and be like man he sai..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/pusha-t-4455_example_when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-i_1899148.png" --- # When I think back to my influences and icons musically… ![“When I think back to my influences and icons musically, they were my icons musically because, for example, I would look at Rakim and be like man he said the freshest things and then I look at him and he would have on the pair of Nikes that I wanted and I'm like, "ma' please!" It was everything…” quote by Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/pusha-t-4455_example_when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-i_1899148.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/pusha-t-4455_example_when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-i_1899148.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/pusha-t-4455_example_when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-i_1899148.png) > “When I think back to my influences and icons musically, they were my icons musically because, for example, I would look at Rakim and be like man he said the freshest things and then I look at him and he would have on the pair of Nikes that I wanted and I'm like, "ma' please!" It was everything. Now, I sort of feel like if you are fresh then your music doesn't have to be that good because people are so keyed into the fashion. That's just the times I guess.” [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Music trends can prioritize style over substance, influencing artists to focus on image. **In simple terms:** Fashion can outweigh musical quality. Key Takeaway Balance style with skill. Themes music culture influence Mood reflective critical Type observational commentary When to use this quote - artist branding - songwriting - marketing - public perception - trend cycles Key Concepts fashion authenticity celebrity Questions to Reflect On - How does image affect your creative process? - Can style and substance coexist? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on fashion may dilute artistic depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Icons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/icons/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Part of an icon's power comes from its indivisibility. The swoosh cannot be further deconstructed into its component parts. Just as golden arches mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-rushkoff/part-of-an-icon-s-power-comes-from-its-indivisibility-the-swoosh/) [Douglas Rushkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-rushkoff/) > [The energy in working with my team at Adidas is really good for me. Being this is the third installment, I feel like everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/the-energy-in-working-with-my-team-at-adidas-is-really-good-for-me/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [About the Sauconys, there are a lot of sneakers that are not as marketed as heavily as like Nike but those silhouettes are still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/about-the-sauconys-there-are-a-lot-of-sneakers-that-are-not-as/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Adidas has invested so much into this collab and into me. It'd be easy for any brand, with some of the spearheads that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/adidas-has-invested-so-much-into-this-collab-and-into-me-it-d-be-easy/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [I don't think anything I've done with Adidas has been shifted. It's been part of the Pusha T brand, has for sure been organic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/i-don-t-think-anything-i-ve-done-with-adidas-has-been-shifted-it-s/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [The thing is I'm with Nike and I don't want to wear any other player's shoe. No Giannis or LeBron - I'm not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-fournier/the-thing-is-i-m-with-nike-and-i-don-t-want-to-wear-any-other-player/) [Evan Fournier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-fournier/) > [I've always loved Nike shoes, and I'm in a position where I like to collect them now, especially the limited-edition Jordan and Air Max…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-ramos/i-ve-always-loved-nike-shoes-and-i-m-in-a-position-where-i-like-to/) [Sergio Ramos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-ramos/) > [We make decisions every day about what we're going to eat. And some people want to buy Nike shoes - two pairs, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-waters/we-make-decisions-every-day-about-what-we-re-going-to-eat-and-some/) [Alice Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-waters/) > [It is rewarding that people see Run-DMC and Adidas as synonymous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rev-run/it-is-rewarding-that-people-see-run-dmc-and-adidas-as-synonymous/) [Rev. Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rev-run/) > [I give a lot of shoes away, but there are some shoes that sometimes I'm like, I don't think they ever even released these.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-allen/i-give-a-lot-of-shoes-away-but-there-are-some-shoes-that-sometimes-i/) [Ray Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-allen/) > [I don't shop much, but my go-to brands are Topman, John Varvatos, AllSaints, Marc Jacobs, and Theory. Of course I like Nike; that's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-sampson/i-don-t-shop-much-but-my-go-to-brands-are-topman-john-varvatos/) [Kendrick Sampson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-sampson/) > [Nike store won't accept my Starbucks card as payment. Come on guys, just do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/nike-store-won-t-accept-my-starbucks-card-as-payment-come-on-guys/) [Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/) > [I always wear a pair of colored jeans and fun boots. I have a really cute pair of stars-and-stripes Converse, and I love wearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-gold/i-always-wear-a-pair-of-colored-jeans-and-fun-boots-i-have-a-really/) [Gracie Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-gold/) > [I'm gonna do clothes, but stuff that kids can afford. I want to get into the high fashion world very soon, but the stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/i-m-gonna-do-clothes-but-stuff-that-kids-can-afford-i-want-to-get/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [Not really a sneaker guy. I like any kind of Nike, that works for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-chubb/not-really-a-sneaker-guy-i-like-any-kind-of-nike-that-works-for-me/) [Nick Chubb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-chubb/) ## More by Pusha T > [About the Sauconys, there are a lot of sneakers that are not as marketed as heavily as like Nike but those silhouettes are still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/about-the-sauconys-there-are-a-lot-of-sneakers-that-are-not-as/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [There's a meaning to the kissing of the ring, the Gods don't mingle with the mortals. Peasants ain't sitting with the kings, Goliath ain't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/there-s-a-meaning-to-the-kissing-of-the-ring-the-gods-don-t-mingle/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [I talk specifically to the lifestyle and those who can relate to it. And I feel like, where the creativity comes in, is where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/i-talk-specifically-to-the-lifestyle-and-those-who-can-relate-to-it/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Bergdorf bandit, Barnies for the burglary but these bands lit the whole store like Hercules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/bergdorf-bandit-barnies-for-the-burglary-but-these-bands-lit-the/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [I'm a wizard at it, nigga here's the magic. Make a small town feel like I throw a blizzard at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/i-m-a-wizard-at-it-nigga-here-s-the-magic-make-a-small-town-feel-like/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Some claim God body, blame Illuminati. All cause his pockets now knotty as his hair, yeah.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/some-claim-god-body-blame-illuminati-all-cause-his-pockets-now-knotty/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Some athletes are super fashionable and not good. It's like c'mon man focus on your craft, be who you're supposed to be and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/some-athletes-are-super-fashionable-and-not-good-it-s-like-c-mon-man/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Fashion is just really standing up in the forefront and it's being even mentioned at the same level as the music. I sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/fashion-is-just-really-standing-up-in-the-forefront-and-it-s-being/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [What's a king without a crown, nigga? What's a circus without you clown niggas? What's a brick from an outta-town nigga? When you flood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/what-s-a-king-without-a-crown-nigga-what-s-a-circus-without-you-clown/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Women's style is so hard for me. I just know what I think looks good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/women-s-style-is-so-hard-for-me-i-just-know-what-i-think-looks-good/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [ I was in Paris, when Kanye \[West\] was doing his line and I stopped like, "Woah why are you doing womenswear and why do… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/i-was-in-paris-when-kanye-west-was-doing-his-line-and-i-stopped-like/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Beef is when you hide behind them other niggas. But they ain't killers they ain't pullin them triggers, fuck niggas. Beef will have you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/beef-is-when-you-hide-behind-them-other-niggas-but-they-ain-t-killers/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Pain is joy when it cries, it's my smile in disguise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/pain-is-joy-when-it-cries-it-s-my-smile-in-disguise/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Beef is best served like steak. Well done get a gun in your face, bitch nigga.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/beef-is-best-served-like-steak-well-done-get-a-gun-in-your-face-bitch/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [Yeah, I've been known to chase 'em. Known to replace 'em. Shoe game outta this world, I outer space 'em. Known to have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/yeah-i-ve-been-known-to-chase-em-known-to-replace-em-shoe-game-outta/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) [Explore all 110 Pusha T quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) ## More Example quotes > [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I think leading by example is important, as I know the next generation is watching us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-skolnik/i-think-leading-by-example-is-important-as-i-know-the-next-generation/) [Michael Skolnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-skolnik/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [Men trust rather to their eyes than to their ears; the effect of precepts is therefore slow and tedious, whilst that of examples is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-trust-rather-to-their-eyes-than-to-their-ears-the-effect-of/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Popular culture as a whole is popular, but in today's fragmented market it's a jostle of competing unpopular popular cultures. As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [You can have examples of reasons to hate people, but if you analyze those reasons it's like, Oh, I'm hating that person based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlyne-yi/you-can-have-examples-of-reasons-to-hate-people-but-if-you-analyze/) [Charlyne Yi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlyne-yi/) > [The protestant world is in great need of examples (like these) that will beckon us to the fullness of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-bickle/the-protestant-world-is-in-great-need-of-examples-like-these-that/) [Mike Bickle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-bickle/) > [If it comes to a question of law, the charges they brought against me - the Espionage Act - is called the quintessential political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/if-it-comes-to-a-question-of-law-the-charges-they-brought-against-me/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [I'm not the most vocal guy, but I try to lead by example every single day with how I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-ingram/i-m-not-the-most-vocal-guy-but-i-try-to-lead-by-example-every-single/) [Brandon Ingram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-ingram/) > [But actually theory is very practical. Gravity is a theory, for example. It allows you to predict that if you step off a cliff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/but-actually-theory-is-very-practical-gravity-is-a-theory-for-example/) [Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/) > [I had the best example set by my parents for what a couple can - and, in my opinion, should - be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-young/i-had-the-best-example-set-by-my-parents-for-what-a-couple-can-and-in/) [Brett Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-young/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [America's freedom is the example to which the world expires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/america-s-freedom-is-the-example-to-which-the-world-expires/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) Browse all 5,618 Example quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I think back to my influences and icons musically, they were my icons musically because, for example, I would look at Rakim and be like man he said the freshest things and then I look at him and he would have on the pair of Nikes that I wanted and I'm like, \"ma' please!\" It was everything. Now, I sort of feel like if you are fresh then your music doesn't have to be that good because people are so keyed into the fashion. That's just the times I guess.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pusha T" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-icons-musically-they-were-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Example" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-icons-musically-they-were-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/pusha-t-4455_example_when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-i_1899148.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/pusha-t-4455_example_when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-i_1899148.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/pusha-t-4455_example_when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-i_1899148.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I think back to my influences and icons musically, they were my icons musically because, for example, I…” — Pusha T", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Pusha T", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I think back to my...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-icons-musically-they-were-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/when-i-think-back-to-my-influences-and-icons-musically-they-were-my/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```