I just want it to be timeless and timely at the same time.

In the 1970s, for all the Stevie Wonders, I'm sure there were five artists that were making forgettable music.

I would tell myself, "Love yourself and don't be afraid to take risks." I was often afraid to take risks, socially, because I was young and a little more shy and still figuring out who I wanted to be. Sometimes I look back and think, "I should have just been bolder and more confident."

The main focus for me is not trying to find duet partners. It's about just making great songs. I want most of my album to be in my voice, because it's my point of view.

Hip-hop and R&B are especially fertile bases of collaboration. It always makes good records and good music.

All men should be feminists. If men cared about women's rights, the world would be a better place

Every artist wants some sort of feedback, because you make this music and you hope people love it and you want to hear if they love it and what they love about it, what their favorite song is, what they think the next single should be. I like to hear those things.