Don't the people you're around shape the music, is that what you're saying? Everything does.

Music should come crashing out of your speakers and grab you, and the lyrics should challenge whatever preconceived notions that listener has.

I never liked the Beatles. I thought they were garbage.

I wouldn't want to hear Beethoven without beautiful bass, the cellos, the tuba. It's very important. Hip-hop has thunderous bass. And so does Beethoven. If you don't have the bass, it's like being amputated. It's like you have no legs.

It's depressing when you're still around and your albums are out of print.

You know, when you're relaxed, you're putting it out there, and then it comes, oh, I can do that.

I'm not leaving New York. And neither is anyone else. We're here. We are quintessential Americans - we're not only American, but New York-American.