"I'm trying to get low. People's personalities can get in the way of their own work"

In this quote, Mos Def is expressing his desire to stay humble and grounded. He wants to "get low," implying he wishes to stay modest and not let his ego get in the way of his work. He thinks that people's personalities can often hinder their own development and success. This might be due to arrogance, pride, or other negative traits that can cloud one's judgment and avoid them from reaching their complete capacity. Mos Def acknowledges the significance of staying true to oneself and not letting individual traits disrupt the quality of one's work.