Black people in America have come from slavery to other forms of being oppressed and there are some things that come with that - some pain and anger that come with that and we as black people have to deal with it to heal that. White people have to understand it and have some compassion toward it.

My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself.

The possibility of an Oscar is something I definitely think about and the fact that I can even say that is just a blessing. It's something I would be incredibly honored to be a part of.

Don't believe in role models, but if I do, then I'm mine

This is my inception, I'm writing my dreams.

There [are] times when I put out an album, and I don't hear my songs really on the radio a lot, and it's like, Dang, I ain't inside that world. But I'm still moving some people or touching some people.

I bathe in basslines, rinse in riffs, dry in drums