Jackson explained why she felt compelled to combine the folk elements from Mitchell with Q-Tip*s rap verse, saying "Him and Joni Mitchell have something in common: what they write is poetry."[17] "I think of folk and rap among similar strands. Especially lyrically because you can put so much content into one song. Hip hop is great and I think it*s good that it talks of the harsh realities of life in the ghettos. Only I wish that some rap would be more responsible for itself and show that a life of killing, drugs and crime is not the best or only way out."[12] Speaking about Q-Tip*s appearance, Jackson said "I*ve known him since Poetic Justice in which he played my boyfriend." "Q-Tip is a great example of a real artist who makes great hip hop and has a responsibility. It was an honor to work with him."[18] She also notes, "Q-Tip represents all that*s creative and strong about rap. He*s real and right to the point, and I loved working with him."