I was really fortunate growing up to have a broad musical education. My parents listened to all kinds of music, rock, soul, Motown, jazz, Frank Sinatra, everything.

Nowhere on earth has more soul than Detroit.

I make soul music for hip-hop heads. It's music I'd want to sample if I were a rapper.

Gary Numan had a huge influence on both my music and my style. He had his own unique fashion sense - that futuristic space style. It was out there.

Even when I was a hip-hop DJ I always kept it classy. The motto is always 'flashy but classy.' You've got to be original and stand out from the crowd and take some chances. But you've always got to keep it classy.

A lot of people think I live in a soul bubble.

I think that what happens is that all of my modern influences blend together with the older soul influences and you get Mayer Hawthorne.