Speaking candidly with BeatsByDre, Yasiin Bey, (formerly known as Mos Def) broke down his reasoning for leaving America and refusing to be placed in the "conscious rapper" category in Hip Hop.

Bey, who moved to South Africa after renouncing his citizenship in the U.S., says he's critical of all the places he's lived, including the states, which has continuously placed musicians in particular categories. As a result, some of these artists have received backlash when they don't live up to society's expectations.

"America is a really challenging place for me," he said. "Given the current social, political, [and] economical climate it is very difficult—unnecessarily difficult—to create to the degree of fullness the type of robust, the type of creativity that I like to have. It is very difficult for me to create that here."

The rapper performed at The Metro in Chicago recently with Ty Money, Abel Black, and fellow G.O.O.D music artist Malik Yusef. He also plans to perform in London for a tribute concert for J.Dilla for one night only on June 11th.

"I needed to take some time to put myself in environments where I felt good," Bey said. "By the time I get to the studio now, the content is very different. The material, the writing is really in me. I feel confident, relaxed and really excited."

Check out his interview above.

Source: YouTube | Video Credit: BeatsByDre