I always try to be a champion of social change and anything that brings awareness to a really dire situation.

My dad's mission for me has always been to be a man they would write about, somebody that can be respected in the world.

I'm ingrained in a lot of - almost too many - causes and struggles around the world because that's where I come from.

My dad almost died as a child from water-borne diseases in Ethiopia, and he had talked to me about digging a well in Ethiopia and I thought, I have too many friends and great people in my life that would be concerned with this subject of clean water.

I've always felt like my music would stand for itself and I would stand for myself. So I've kept my music a little bit esoteric, and I've kept the lyrics a little aloof. I try to say something important, but I don't necessarily preach.

It's a real misconception that water is a problem in Africa only. It's also an issue in Nepal, in Honduras, and in the United States of America. If we don't start paying attention now and curb our use and stop taking it for granted, we're going to be in a bad place, like everyone else.

I'm bringing raw sex appeal. That's my whole thing.