In a sense, touring is crazy. You go city to city playing the show over and over again. But there's something magic about being in front of people, so it's not like going through the motions every night. It's a different experience.

I grew up in Oakland and Berkeley, California.

I see myself as a hip-hop artist, but I never wanted to make music for a specifically white audience. Thats not what I grew up around.

I am involved in every step of the process [musicmaking]. Whether it is the production or the mixing or the visuals and music videos. I'm involved in every step of the way as far as the creative, directing and merchandise . Just making sure everything that falls in line with my brand is portrayed a certain type of way. It all about quality control and attention to detail, and making sure anything you put your name on is on point.

When you're choosing the track list and the sequencing, it's important to make sure that there's some strong concepts on there and that it matters and it says something... that it sticks with people.

There's a crazy energy in Toronto. I think some of that may be from being a border from where I'm from and being so close.

I think the special stuff [music] still finds a way to be heard, as long as you pair it with a good release strategy.