Still, it's clear that there are lots of people out there who are uncomfortable [about racism]. The Civil War was a long time ago but there are aspects of it that remain unsettled.

My music has a high irritation factor. I`ve always tried to say something. Eccentric lyrics about eccentric people. Often it was is joke. But I would plead guilty on the grounds that I prefer eccetricity to the bland.

I always thought my best album was 'Trouble in Paradise.' I was the happiest with that one.

I started recording because I was always complaining about the records that I was getting of my songs. At least if I did them and messed them up, I wouldn't have anyone else to blame.

I've always had a lot of respect from the people I respected.

There's a million white people better qualified than a black man to be president of America.

The best of my songs are more than just a joke. There's something else going on - a character, or it's not just a plain joke.