When you come from an under-privileged background, oftentimes, you feel a little overwhelmed by your education or your lack of.

It's weird because my parents don't really understand my business. I get fan mail all day long, but if a piece happens to get to their house, they're like, 'Oh, my God, you've got a fan! You have to write them back. You have to do it!

When you come from an under-privileged background, oftentimes, you feel a little overwhelmed by your education or your lack of.

I love bikes. I used to own one, but I fell off it when I was younger and that was the end of my bike riding days until now.

I wanted to be on American TV so much. I didn't park DJ'ing; I just sort of ended up becoming more of a studio guy. I had a bit more money and I could buy every little piece of equipment and drum machine that had just come out - I've got quite a collection now - and I continued to collect music.

In some countries, no one knows who Idris Elba is.

I was on a well-beaten path of actors - what we all call 'the Law and Order route'. I spent two years of auditioning for everything... and then 'The Wire' came up.