Dave East

Nas really introduced the world and a lot of people to me - that was ideal as far as me first coming in.

I always wanted to do something I knew I could love to wake up and do every day, and rap was just second nature to me, growing up in Harlem. I never really had to try.

Growing up in Harlem, I was always in the parks playing ball.

When I'm out of town, I always try to get some readings or some type of new information to where I'm learning more about Islam, just to become the best Muslim I can become.

I'm never really trying to focus on one aim.

I'm still an athlete at heart, so I always want that comfort and something that feels like an athletic shoe.

Since the '80s, Harlem has the place to go. Before the '80s, just as far as hip-hop go, Harlem has always been a strong point, fashion-wise, music-wise, all of that.

I wanna go to every country on the Earth.

When I go back to my hood, Queens, Brooklyn, or here in L.A., the people that's not famous, that's what inspires me.

I think R. Kelly is twisted, sick-minded, nasty, perverted - he different. I don't know anybody like R. Kelly.

I want to be one of the greats. I feel like the money and all that is going to come, but I want to be a name that, like, when you say Nas or Jay Z, that's forever.

I think what sets a New York rapper apart from other rappers from other places is just being from New York.