My father moved to Hawaii from Brooklyn and my mother came there as a child from the Philippines. They met at a show where my dad was playing percussion. My mom was a hula dancer.

I'm a big fan of the young 1950s Elvis when he would just go onstage and control the whole environment.

In Hawaii, some of the biggest radio stations are reggae. The local bands are heavily influenced by Bob Marley.

We all grew up idolizing another musician. That's how this works. That's how music is created.

If perfect's what you're searching for, then just stay the same.

I think everybody don't know what color I am. It's like, "He's not black enough. He's not white enough. He's got a Latin last name but he doesn't have - he doesn't speak Spanish. Who are we selling this to? Are you making urban music? Are you making pop music? What kind of music are you making?"

A lot of people are really quick to say, "That song sounds like this." Or you - "He's tryin' to sound like this." And I'm always like, "You're damn right I am. That's how - that's why we're all here." You know, we all grew up idolizing another musician. That's how this works. That's how music is created.