I don't think I'm really so unique. If every black person looked at their life they would quickly discover that they have been influenced by every type of music prevalent in America.

Most artists have contracts directly with the record company, and when they do music, all of their music is owned by the record company. But I did mine through a production company.

A lot of the hip hop artists don't write music. They write words.

I always had this energy level that made me want to come to New York.

I don't think I'm really so unique. If every black person looked at their life they would quickly discover that they have been influenced by every type of music prevalent in America.

I was with PolyGram; that was the big label that I was with for the longest, like 12 years.

The true beauty of music is that it connects people.