My music doesn't exist in a vacuum; there's a script and there's an actor and it's about to come together.

I feel like there is an emphasis against teaching geography in American schools. Americans don't say, "I'm going to Germany." They say, "I'm going to Europe."

I've never been to China. I only know what the West is telling me about China.

I still think you people need to be curious [in order to absorb the culture]. You need to search Uzbekistani pop music.

I only have a Bachelor's Degree but I've had professors who have instilled this kind of academic rigor in me where I don't make any generalizations or closed statements. There always has to be room for interpretation.

The vast majority of women musicians function under singular names like 'Cher' 'Madonna'. They have to get married almost immediately to preserve their honour.

I had a story-telling mother; she's written novels and short stories. So I feel like maybe I'm staying alive by telling tales.