Some rappers, known for eating their rivals alive on wax, allow no meat to touch their lips, including Prodigy, Andre 3000, Nelly’s fellow St. Lunatic Murphy Lee, Common, dead prez and RZA. From backpackers to blingers, some have been vegetarian for years, and while their reasons are varied—from animal rights to controlling cholesterol—going flesh-free is definitely about getting one’s mind right. “A lot of vegetarians feel that meat sort of blocks you, impedes your ability to think clearly and make good decisions,” says Vibe executive editor and longtime vegetarian Shani Parrish. “Many vegetarians are introduced to it by religious beliefs, like Rastafarianism. With dead prez, their philosophy is to stay healthy to be ready for battle. Vegetarianism is about feeling good on the inside.”