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

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

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

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

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.

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

I was going through some emotional turmoil. You can tell by the tunes on the album that I was going through a break-up of my marriage. It was the only way I could express myself.