People are uncomfortable with sexuality that’s not for male consumption.

When I get ready to do an album, that means I have something to say for the sake of words, and I listen back to all of the things I've been creating and pull things from out of the air to go with them. It's almost like I start creating the album before I even think about creating it.

In the morning, instead of saying to yourself, ‘I got to wake up’ say ‘I get to wake up!’

I have a master plan as an artist. I've always said I'm not going to be punching nobody's clock. I will work as an artist to survive in this world.

Now my record deal helps me to do things for free or give more time to my community than I could otherwise.

I thought the Billie Holiday comparison was beautiful. I think, Wow, what a wonderful, creative, helpful spirit. She's someone who wanted to help others by sharing her emotion. That's what I do, too, so I think that's a great comparison.

I bring the staple of my culture.