Rap was started by black people and, thus, is at the foundation of black culture. So people cannot always wrap their minds around someone like me being inspired by it. But if you listen to the things we're saying, they're authentically us. Awkwafina authenticallyblackculture share on social
If you don't address race, then people are like, 'Why don't you talk about the elephant in the room?' But you have to do it right. It can't be gimmicky. Awkwafina addresselephantgimmicky Change image and share on social
I started with me as Awkwafina reciting 'Othello' monologues, and I'd send those to my friends. It started like that, and then it went into more music-y stuff. Awkwafina awkwafinafriendmonologue Change image and share on social
My grandmother can never really teach me anything because she skips steps. Awkwafina grandmotherskipstep Change image and share on social
I have lived in this city my whole life and have seen the way gentrification has changed it. I'm not necessarily against transplants, as 75 percent of my good friends, roommate, and boyfriend are not native New Yorkers. Awkwafina boyfriendchangecity share on social
When I was 15, I talked to Liam Neeson because I was the only one of my friends ballsy enough to engage him. Awkwafina ballsyengagefriend Change image and share on social
I legitimately wanted to know if Mayor Bloomberg was going to ban large margaritas that I cry over while on a date alone at Dallas BBQ as a part of his controversial soda ban. Awkwafina banbbqbloomberg Change image and share on social
If women dabble in rap but they're not rappers, to get from dabbling to doing it is really difficult, confidence-wise. Awkwafina confidencedabbledifficult Change image and share on social
I was physically addicted to 'Tony Hawk's American Wasteland' for PS2. Awkwafina addictamericanhawk Change image and share on social
I think there are barriers, but I think for me specifically, my barrier is being rejected from the kind of hip-hop elitists that think I'm not appropriating it, but just not serious about it. They think I'm a Lonely Island, Weird Al, you know - like a parody rapper. So that alienates me from a lot of things. Awkwafina alienateappropriatebarrier share on social