At the end of the day, we are responsible for our own lives. If anything happens to us, don't blame somebody else. Backtrack and look at what you did to contribute to that. You also contribute to your successes. Once you learn that, you're on your way.

I love soul. But I love a tune that has some meat in it. Something I could hang my hat on. Because music is universal.

As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices.

Then, when I had the opportunity to go to Africa and visit the villages, I heard the real, raw, true rhythms and realised the origins of the old Negro spirituals I grew up with in the South.

I influence people, hopefully on the positive side.

I always keep my head down, working, doing things, moving forward. That's what I've done all my life. Then you stop and realize what you've done.

I don't sit back and count up what I've done. There's just always something else to do. There's always a challenge ahead.