My thing is to gain the respect as an actor, as a professional, and the friendship and everything else will happen from there.

I'm good with all my roles, I've never had a bad role.

I grew in a community where I saw the process of how one becomes a drug dealer or a gang banger or a stick-up kid. There's a series of events that happen. People don't just wake up and decide they wanna be that.

My job is to bring to life the character, not to put the words on the paper.

I'm totally comfortable today with the success that Omar and 'The Wire' have brought me - living with that character, being recognized and remembered for that character.

All my characters have playlists.

My only goal is to stay focused on my craft and make sure my life is as sharp as it can be to attack any character that is given to me.