I've got to where I am in life not because of something I brought to the world but through something I found - the wealth of African culture.

I don't think any musician ever thinks about making a statement. I think everybody goes into music loving it.

Africa has been troubled for a long time - well, the world has been troubled ever since I was born.

I've got to where I am in life not because of something I brought to the world but through something I found - the wealth of African culture.

In my view, Africa's real problems are cultural.

It's obvious that the rest of the world loves high African culture - African culture, period.

I think that anybody from the 20th century, up to now, has to be aware that if it wasn't for Louis Armstrong, we'd all be wearing powdered wigs. I think that Louis Armstrong loosened the world, helped people to be able to say "Yeah," and to walk with a little dip in their hip. Before Louis Armstrong, the world was definitely square, just like Christopher Columbus thought.