The record business. It’s exactly what it is-Record-Busin ess. You have to take care of both, or they won’t take care of you.

Try to be the king, but the ace is back.

I always loved the way music made me feel. I did sports at school and all, but when I got home, it was just music. Everybody in my neighborhood loved music. I could jump the back fence and be in the park where there were ghetto blasters everywhere.

Even when I was close to defeat I rose to my feet

I've gotten my personal life all the way intact and made sure that it's straight. Without that, you have no foundation. Your building is going to crumble.

When I think of the future, I think a lot of Quincy Jones and how he is an inspiration. Look at the quality of his work over so many years. He didn't even make his best record, 'Thriller,' until he was 50. That gives me something to look forward to. Nothing pulls you back into the studio more than the belief that your best record is still ahead.

I realized at a young age that sequence in an album is almost as important as the songs that are on the album.