“My graffiti really comes more from a May '68, sort of Situationist vib...” — Mike Mills Quote

My graffiti really comes more from a May '68, sort of Situationist vibe than the hip-hop world. I think a real graffiti artist would find me a poser.

I definitely believe in the energy of the set and the energy of the actor, way more than your written word.

I've always known that I love directing but I was really aware of it while making 'Beginners.' I am my happiest when I'm on set directing. I am also my kindest. When the actors get in front of the camera, it makes them very vulnerable. I am so in love with them for trying so hard.

My experience, with both my parents, is that grief has a lot of down, sad things, but I was also really emotionally raw, in the first year after each of them passed. Flowers smelled more intensely, my relationships were hotter, and I was more willing to risk. I was going for it a lot more. I was 'unsober' and I wasn't playing by my rules.

A lot of underground hip-hop will inspire me as far as rhyme patterns - really wordy, intelligent lyrics.

I know I'm going to be the next big hip-hop artist. I just want to save hip-hop... that's my job.

I'm not the first guy to make a record or to make hip-hop, but I did it differently.

As hip-hop artists, you have to take the music seriously, not just as a way to get rich.

I grew up with, maybe not the best hip-hop in the world, but a lot of hip-hop. Will Smith was, like, my jam when I was, like, 9 or 10 years old.