I think the music comes first, then comes the fashion, and thus, the lifestyle. I believe it starts with music, and then the person delivering it delivers the lifestyle, the fashion. Madonna is a great example of that.

Kurt Cobain represents a very legit, realistic outlook. Before that, in my head, to be a white artist was to be privileged.

Working with the artist elite can be like banging your head against the wall.

When you live your life through records, the records are a record of your life.

To be hip-hop is much more than just rapping in the production. It is more in the attitude.

I prefer to unwind by DJing. I learned that from Mike D from the Beastie Boys. After a show, he would DJ. Once I saw that, I wanted to do that. And now DJing is like my lifeline. I love the power it represents.

I think all of this—The Roots and DJing included—was meant to prepare me for The Tonight Show.