Having been born and raised in Washington, D.C., you kind of absorb politics when you grow up. And it continues to be a focus of mine, probably more than what is healthy for me.

Some musicians play blues, others classical jazz or bluegrass. I like to play political roles because I can merge my political interests with my creative interests.

Shaft was a pop culture figure along t he lines of, I guess, Dirty Harry - except that he wasn't as much of a racist. So yeah, I was always a fan.

I think I was afraid of what I might say when I got onto someone's stage or in front of someone's camera.

I'm not sure whether Los Angeles borders on the ocean or on oblivion. I always feel that I'm two steps away from the other side when I'm out there. It's more like a vacation place or a place to visit than a place to hunker down.

New York is the greatest character actor ever. Any film that is shot in New York is elevated by the city.

I like New York because you're kind of forced to smell everybody else's funk. So it keeps you biologically attached to the world around you.