"I grew up around hip-hop so I didn't think it was about being cool or being black or being white or whatever"

In this quote, Chad Hugo is reflecting on his upbringing and how it shaped his understanding of hip-hop. He discusses that due to the fact that he was exposed to hip-hop from a young age, he never ever saw it as a method of fitting in or complying with a certain race or image. Instead, he saw it as a form of expression and imagination. To him, hip-hop was not about being cool or fitting into a particular stereotype, however rather about accepting individuality and breaking societal norms. This quote highlights the power of music to transcend labels and bring people together, despite race or background.