Marvin Gaye was the ultimate ladies' man and a big part of that was the way he dressed. If you're having trouble getting ladies, step your suit game up and see the difference. Walk into a bar in a tailored suit and I guarantee every girl will check you out.

My intentions with any of my music is to keep it futuristic and updated and be experimental and try new things.

Barry White is my musical hero. He was the guy who you danced to in the club and then when you took your lady home to the bedroom, you listened to him there, too! That's who I always wanted to be - the guy who was always there.

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

James Brown is the perfect example of flashy but classy. Classy doesn't have to mean boring. His gear was flamboyant but without being so over the top. The cape was probably the biggest part of his persona. He looked like Superman.

I think that Detroiters are some of the most resilient people in the world.

I've always made sure that I tour with bands that people aren't expecting me to tour with.