My career has been a gradual climb. I think that's part of the reason why I've had longevity.

When I'm doing interiors - especially the ones where you really have full creative freedom - it's about creating an environment for people to feel so comfortable and at ease. I want them to become inspired to live and feel better.

When I'm in the studio, I write the music, I play the different instruments, I produce it, I arrange it, and it's a self-indulgent exercise. It's the way I make my music. And when I'm acting, I get to leave myself behind, which is a relief. I get to collaborate with a director; I respect the director's medium and all the actors and actresses. So at the end of the day, it's about a character and it's about a director's vision. It's a really good balance for being so intense and alone in my personal process of making music.

Eleutheria, the fire is burning. Eleutheria, the tables are turning.

If I were white, I'd get less criticism.

I really didn't know a lot of rock 'n' roll until I moved to L.A. Before that, when I was in New York, I grew up listening mostly to R&B and soul and jazz.

The idea of having to conform to someone else's ideal is unacceptable. I'm gonna be me. And if I can't be me, then I'd rather not do it.