I've always been into films. I've been offered lots of films but they've always been these very stereotypical roles. They wanted me to play some gangster or street guy, or pimp, drug addict.

We've always just gotten up there and played. We don't have any dancers, we don't have all that stuff going on, we just get up there and play.

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.

(On being asked if he preferred to be a rock god or sex god) I am neither. My favourite role is father.

I am still into the people I listened to growing up, so I completely remember what is like to be a fan, I haven't changed.

I was in Paris last year, where there's a great appreciation of many different aspects of African culture and of black culture. The music... the art... whatever... And I kind of went with that.

We should take time out to really love; we should take time out to find out who we are.