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.

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

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

The Afro-American experience is the only real culture that America has. Basically, every American tries to walk, talk, dress and behave like African Americans.

I grew up with protests, marches, demonstrations, struggle. But I come from a clan of community workers.

I always make the joke that I go home, to one of my homes, to go and do laundry so I can go on the road again.

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