Q-Tip had a song out called “Vivrant Thing” and then he had a follow-up single “Breathe and Stop.” I found a way to combine it.

From the freestyle era, that’s where I started with the current event bars. Anything that was current, I always felt I could make a line out of it because of the culture.

It’s what we’re seeing and living every day. If you put it in a line it’s more relevant because it’s right now.

That was me trying to say that Ma$e and I were two different people. Our tones might be close, but if you look at the art itself, we’re in two different boats.

When you first come out and you’re new, they try to really associate you with who you sound like.

I wasn’t upset, I kinda understood it. I felt like I did my own thing and over time it got proven. I heard the comparisons less and less as my career moved on.