Saul Williams

If we're gonna progress as a people we are going to realise that, as one of my favourite poets says, the other is a lie. There are no other people. Race is a social construct.

I was always making up rhymes. But I never thought that poetry would become my life.

Hip-hop is still cool at a party. But to me, hip-hop has never been strictly a party; it is also there to elevate consciousness.

I'd date someone younger or older; age doesn't matter to me. Or looks, really - it's all about maturity.

Political differences will always generate a healthy debate, but over time the dialogue has become more hateful and at times violent.

I studied international relations and economics at the University of Virginia. I paid my way by working as a bartender in the summer and at three part-time jobs during the year.