“In popular culture, there is this notion that African-American men and...” — Salim Akil Quote

“In popular culture, there is this notion that African-American men and women can't get together, and we're having these issues. I think it's an American problem because I know a lot of white women and men who are having just as many issues trying to find 'that person' as anyone.”

“As an artist, I write and I do what I know and what creatively comes out of me, and I think that other artists should do the same thing.”

“I never saw a true representation - an iconic hero - for myself. It just got boring, reading about all these really powerful and heroic white guys.”

“It's profound to watch a little African-American girl light up when she raps as George Washington and she realizes that Washington's story is her story. That this history belongs to all of us.”

“The old saying about, 'Well, he is an African-American quarterback and can't get the job done,' is a myth now. Doug Williams shredded that myth.”

“I'm excited about 'Luke Cage' with Michael Colter, who plays Luke Cage. I play the villain, Cottonmouth. It takes place in Harlem. It'll just be amazing for people to get to see an African-American superhero, which there weren't any when I was growing up.”