I was literally the black sheep of the family, and there were definitely moments of discomfort while my grandmother was working through her racism.

Success made me self-sufficient, but it also took away my anonymity. I'm just this quiet nobody, and all of a sudden people are nervous around me. That was kind of weird.

That industry expects you to prove yourself over and over again. Do I stay doing this, or do I raise my daughter and live surrounded by people who love me? Wasn't even really a choice.

Everyone has their story. Everyone has issues. You have to face your fears.

I work with youth offenders in LA, I've heard them speak and see how music manipulates them.

A group of us started a community center in Santa Monica. We've tried different programs, and three have worked really well. A poetry group. Once a week we visit Venice High and talk to girls at risk.

Prisons are like the concentration camps of our time. So many go in and never come out, and primarily they're black and Latino.