"[Shadows & Diamonds] It stems from being in the position of getting the deal I always wanted as a kid, and No I.D. was somebody that I looked up to. I was like, “Man I got the guy who’s behind Kanye West, Common, Jhene Aiko to be behind me.” We’re doing amazing music together, and he’s really executive-producing my project. I felt like I was bringing to the table a guy who’s not perpetuating stereotype, grew up and is a mama’s boy, and grew up around his sisters. I’m not calling females “bitches” and “hoes.” I wanted to bring something new, but I also felt like my Achilles heel was working against me. I felt like my fans, and people who were open to Elijah Blake, and what I had to offer, made me hold on to the glimmer of hope and light to create a diamond.
