I always wanted to play with the sound, but I always wanted to do it in a respectful way, because I never lived in New York and I don't have a real connection to that scene.

To me, beauty is a lived thing.

My whole purpose of being a musician is to not follow the rules, so if I set rules for myself, I've already failed.

There's top 40 R&B/hip-hop, which is probably sexy but you wouldn't listen to it for a musical awakening.

It's better to look for the people that look like you and do something with them, create something new - the mainstream isn't that special anyways.

I always wanted to play with the sound, but I always wanted to do it in a respectful way, because I never lived in New York and I don't have a real connection to that scene.

I always put my identity at the forefront of my music.