It's possible and available to any artist to be himself or herself on their own terms, to be accepted and embraced by black people. You don't have to be a thug to get love from black people.

My Umi said shine your light on the world, shine your light for the world to see

I want to be necessary and do good works. I ain't here to waste nobody's time, because I don't want you to waste mine.

If 'Life in Marvelous Times' can't get on the radio, then I don't need to be on the radio.

I don't care about what brand you are, I'm concerned what type of man you are, what your principles and standards are.

I'm trying to get low. People's personalities can get in the way of their own work.

I'm a passionate person. I'm a lot of things, like most people are. Most people are dynamic. The focus is not on me though, I'm a screen. The aim is to always keep myself in the position where the screen is clear.