An artist should let his style evolve naturally, spontaneously.

I'm a black American, I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am. I have a lot of pride and dignity.

Everyone who knows me will know the truth, which is that my children come first in my life and that I would never harm any child.

I was a veteran, before I was a teenager.

I truly believe I have the most wonderful fans in the world.

My fans are activists they will fight with you to defend me.

All the forms of popular music from jazz to hip-hop, to bebop, to soul [come from black innovation]. You talk about different dances from the catwalk, to the jitterbug, to the Charleston, to break dancing -\-\ all these are forms of black dancing...What would [life] be without a song, without a dance, and joy and laughter, and music.