Common: "The impact of a conscious artist is necessary, and it ripples through the world."

Common: "I was in the heart and soul of Baltimore. I definitely felt a connection to the people. They're really hard-working people that want to have a better life. And I saw the struggle that exists there."

Common: "I want to be the voice of the people; black, white, everyday, oppressed people. A person trying to make it and to do it right."

Common: "When I started thinking about it, I was like, 'OK, if throughout time I get labeled as a conscious artist, I'll be very much celebrated, in a way, and honored.'"

Common: "Hip-hop is supposed to help you elevate, or go higher."

Common: "One thing I have throughout my career, it felt like I did my best to align myself with quality artists, quality work, and it is a situation of steel sharpening steel."

Common: "After you make good, quality music, then it's your job to go out there and promote it and to market it and to get it out there to the people."

Common: "It's our responsibility for the village to say, 'Hey we're going to create these programs,' whether it's sports, creative arts, music, we need some things to give young people positive things to do, and that's including jobs."

Common: "Obviously God knew I wasn't going to make it to the NBA as much as I probably believed. This was divine order."

Common: "Man, if I get a chance to speak on the microphone, I've got to say something somewhere in there. You know, I'm going to laugh and have fun, too, but something has to be said that has some substance, because this is a platform, and the power that we have with words and with this microphone is phenomenal."

Common: "I feel like God gives you what you deserve. Whatever that time is, you get what you deserve."

Common: "You have to be sincere in your feelings. And fear is one of those, sometimes; doubt is one of those; jealousy, anger - all your emotions are not going to be considered the strong emotions; all of them are not going to be love, happiness, joy."

Common: "I can only speak for myself - there were times when I just wasn't inspired by creating music."

Common: "This is a broad thought, but loving yourself and having the support so that you can love yourself is the most important thing that young people in Chicago can get."

Common: "People always want to feel better and be inspired. Sometimes we need it. I think the conscious rapper will always be able to live and exist."

Common: "Everything I'm saying shouldn't be taken so serious. I'm playing, but at the same token, I'm acknowledging that I'm not always the perfect man; I'm not always doing the right things. That's who I am. I'm working to be better."

Common: "My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life, and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself."

Common: "I learned a long time ago to be honest when I'm talking to other artists. Up-and-coming artists used to come and say something, they would have a demo reel, and I would try to tell them the truth. I don't go up and say something unless I really feel it."

Common: "I think you really have to remember what you loved about making music in the first place. Ultimately, people can be like, 'We've seen this dude in many movies,' but if they hear a song and they're feeling it, they can look past all the personal things and not hold it against you that you're also an actor."

Common: "Movies and media really can influence us. A few years ago, my daughter wanted to be a dancer; since Obama came into office, she now wants to be a lawyer and get into politics and maybe even be president."