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

I never have, but I would love to pick R. Kelly's brain.

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

I really love rap music. I grew up in the '80s and '90s with Public Enemy, N.W.A., LL Cool J - I'm a hip-hop encyclopedia. But I got kind of frustrated with the chauvinistic side of rap music, the one that makes it hard to write songs about love and relationships.

I just want to have fun and party with everyone around the world. That's the only rule, to have fun.

My dad calls me 'Mac' a lot, from 'Mike Tyson's Punch Out' - Little Mac is the main character. I was obsessed. I can still beat Mike Tyson on 'Punch Out.'

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