He revolutionized music videos. Before Michael Jackson, MTV refused to play African-American artists.

People sometimes forget all the films that we've done. They remember the likes of 'Malcolm X' and 'Do the Right Thing.' But I've been working since 1986. From the beginning, I was determined to not just be a flash in the pan. I've got to keep up with Woody Allen. He's lapping me.

I'm a storyteller, and there's some genres I like. I don't think I'm ever going to do science fiction, but I want to do a musical one day. I want to tell stories, I don't really try to get boxed in by a specific genre.

Since the days of slavery, if you were a good singer or dancer, it was your job to perform for the master after dinner.

Our greatness, our talent has never been the question. It's been a matter of grappling for control over what we do.

Any film I do is not going to change the way black women have been portrayed, or black people have been portrayed, in cinema since the days of D.W. Griffith.

I want to tell stories, I don't really try to get boxed in by a specific genre.