When my agent told me he had a voice-over job I thought it was a Disney thing.

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.

Have you ever wondered why young people take to music like fish to water? Maybe it's because music is fun. Plan and simple. It opens up their minds to dream great dreams about where they can go and what they can do when they get older.

The rappers have gone in and created a lot of hit music based upon my influence. And theyll tell you if you ask.

Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honoured.

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

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.