I know there are a lot of musicians and a lot of artists, and there are a lot of writers and other people who inspire young people, but I'd like to see somebody in political life be able to connect and make these choices that we need to make in Washington real in terms of people's lives.
Nothing is more subtly destructive than a closed circle of artists feeding on one another. Envy grows from insignificant differences between people, not from overwhelming inequalities. . . it was envy that forced them to emulate each other, not esteem.
Are artists and writers the only people entitled to lives of their own?
I am in the lineage of Gil Scott-Heron, great activist-type artists. But I'm also in the lineage of a Miles Davis - you know, that liked nice things also.
If my extensive collection of all 53 'Now That's What I Call Music' compilations is any indication, I am both qualified and honored to join Ludacris in hosting this amazing show that spotlights the best music and artists of the year, i had so much fun hosting the Billboard Music Awards last year and I can't wait to be back!
Artists are the antennae of the race.
Artists who write songs. . . what they're going through usually comes through in their music.
Sometimes pop artists, it's all about clothes and pyro. My thing is about my band.
A lot of artists have really been supportive over the years.
If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams.
I'm a musician, so for the most part I've always thought that the musicians were equally as inspiring to listen to - maybe more so, in some cases - in addition to the artists.
I think that when you're making your way up in the music industry you have all these heroes and the reasons why they are your heroes. As soon as you get into the industry your guidelines change a little bit. For me, my heroes now are great people first and great artists second.
Artists love other artists. Shadow artists are gravitating to their rightful tribe but cannot yet claim their birthright. Very often audacity, not talent, makes one person an artist and another a shadow artist-hiding in the shadows, afraid to step out and expose the dream to the light, fearful that it will disintegrate to the touch.
A lot of the hip hop artists don't write music. They write words.
As I do with most films, I try and find some music that you could use throughout, not just a sampling of lots of different artists.
Independent artists and labels have always been the trendsetters in music and the music business.
. . . a society without jaywalkers might indicate a society without artists.
For instance, members of the elite will never allow their children to become musicians normally, because it's - not embarrassing - but it's not done. There's a very famous composer from the '70s from a well-known family that disowned him, and he's a man, so there's this historical precedence with their relationships with musicians - not so much music as it's this abstract thing - but externally with artists.
Working with younger artists kind of tests your judgment. You're not always right, but when you are, it's exciting.
I don't write hits for myself, or for other artists, or to just be writing it. I write it because I was born to do this. I was given this gift and I'm making the most of my opportunity.