Being black, I'm involved in the reparations movement. It's focused toward the African-American audience. We could begin to heal.

My grandmother sang, too, and she was really loud. It was this wild kind of singing. I count her among my influences.

There was a train that would come by our house every night, and I'd hear the whistle blow. That is the sweetest memory I have.

Everything I do is collaborative. It's just my way. I'm really very interested in how the other musicians perceive the song.

Miles Davis was doing something inherently African, something that has to do with all forms of American music, not just jazz.

I'm always imagining some sort of story behind the song, even the ones I haven't written. I'm actively engaging in playacting.

I was never interested in singing in the church or school. I was more interested in becoming a musician.