My mom and dad would take me all over. One night we'd be at the Apollo watching James Brown, and then I'd be at the Joffrey Ballet. It was that kind of scene.

Are things getting better with each generation? Yes. It's quite interesting to be living in these times, for me to witness an African-American being elected president. It's quite extraordinary.

I don't play the tuba.

When I'm making my music, I'm writing it, I'm producing it, I'm playing all the instruments, I'm performing. It's my own world where I do what I feel, and nobody tells me anything.

If you listen to a lot of old funk records, the drums are really small. But you don't perceive it like that because the groove is so heavy.

I'm not one of those artists who refuses to play their hits. I find that ridiculous. Hits are a blessing.

Music is my life, it is a reflection of what I go through.