By denying its musical and artistic merit, hip hop's critics get to have it both ways: they can deny the legitimate artistic standing of rap while seizing on its pervasive influence as an art form to prove what a terrible effect it has on youth. Michael Eric Dyson
I really believe in the power of music - and I mean literally the power of musical tones - to rearrange the way you can think.Michael Azerrad
I think that New York is the city of all cities. There is so much diversity there. I also like that when I go there, I can catch a play or musical and see some of the most talented people practicing their craft. Kevin Johnson
It really surprises me that people in this day and age still write such busy music and fill up every space with layer upon layer of sound... it's like musical landfill. James Blake
My father always wanted me to play a musical instrument, and I never had that type of skill. /c/cam_newton.html#4gdAqjRfwfdOc91j.99Cam Newton
My musical background is like almost every non classical musician in the world. One day a special record was heard and that was it. I was hooked, started trying to play various instruments and was off to bar land to become a rock star. What else? Kevin Johnson
No change in musical style will survive unless it is accompanied by a change in clothing style. Rock is to dress up to. Frank Zappa
The online musical universe has become Balkanized, with many sites focusing on minute niches. That works well for reaching very specific demographics, which is wonderful for advertising, but it flies in the face of the common wisdom that people's tastes have become more diverse as music of any description has become a mouse-click away. Michael Azerrad
We live with incessant music, all the time. It's like some weird musical purgatory, there is absolutely no rest for the ears, no space to absorb and reflect.James Blake