I was enrolled to attend Norfolk State University and then my career kind of kicked off.

What is happening right now? That in itself, is an exercise. Because you can get caught up in yesterday and tomorrow and missing their moment that they're actually in.

It just felt like all the excitement in the world was in the building [at the Democratic convention].

For me, I guess, just learning that just because there's not a whole lot of female MCs on the front lines being supported by major record labels doesn't mean they don't exist. It doesn't mean they don't have the drive and the competitive nature and the will and the way.

I've met them [Barack and Michelle Obama] before at fundraisers and things. But to actually meet them in the space where they dwell and make the most important decisions is a totally different experience.

I just like to be in the now. And kind of reporting on what it is that I see, feel and that's really reflective of the times that I'm in, we're in and I think with the latest works, it's still evident that we're going through a lot of the same things.

I grew up listening and looking up at these people and laughing at Carol Burnett and singing James Taylor songs. And same with Smokey Robinson. So they were such a huge influence as a child that to actually sit alongside them and perform on the same bill was an amazing experience for me.