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

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

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 lived in lower-income neighborhoods in the inner city. Across the street were dark parts of the world. I've experienced the gamut, from third world to inner city to my parents working their way out of being secretaries and janitors to professors and real-estate people. They've shown me a path of perseverance and hard work in a peaceable way.

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

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.