I mean, there's plenty of artists who are making R&B music, but because of their ethnicity, it's considered something else.

The whole cultural diversity and musical diversity, I think they almost go hand in hand, you know? It's like a mind space or a it's having an open mind to what else is out there.

I just think that Jack White is the consummate artist - an artist's artist. I'm a huge fan.

For me, the creative process for me always starts in a personal place. I step away from my iPod or any records or CDs.

I think what I bring to the table overall is a sense of my own individuality, especially in the urban-male spectrum of what is here and now.

Historically, black music has influenced other cultures and other genres and created other genres.

I feel that as artists - whatever your medium is - I feel that we're watching what goes on around us and we take what we don't see, or we don't hear, or we don't feel and we do something that speaks of it; more about it, for it, or against it - whatever our perspective is - that's what our job is.