In my life, the stories I have heard from my family, my friends, my community, and from willing strangers all over the world have been the true source of my education.

When an audience comes to one of my concerts, I hope they'll see themselves, somewhere, in one of the songs.

Part of being an artist is being willing to be shocked, being willing to be surprised, being willing to be hurt.

Why do we kill people who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?

Peace can start with just one heart.

Leaping away from my mistakes has propelled me forward. It has great force behind it. It makes for great storytelling.

I'm not allowing my perspective to be dictated by the dominant culture.