All songs have those X factors. I couldn't even explain or describe what will grab me about them but it's all music that I'm usually listening to. I'm always looking there to hear new music and see what's going on so that's usually when I'll hear something and be like "Wow, that melody is really crazy.

My fans are the only people who will be with me forever, all else comes and goes.

I've kind of shut myself off to a lot of new music because I don't want to be influenced by it.

I never want a fan to come and hear what they hear on their iPod, its about creating a unqiue and awesome experience.

I've been writing songs and making music since I was probably ten years old...so my inspirations back then, I don't know - I guess it was something that was innate. I was really shaped to make hip-hop music and love hip hop.

I've basically been able to do everything, I basically run my own career and the decisions I make - whether it's how I'm gonna roll out music, how I'm gonna play on tours, different strategies for releasing and marketing things - and that comes from being college educated and someone who's interested in that side of the business rather than only the music. If anything I think that's where the biggest direct influence comes from.

I am a musician, a songwriter, music fan. I live in New York City and I love my job.