The only way for me to be an artist is to be honest in my craft. If I veer from that, I'm not giving the investors what they want. Sometimes it's my job as an artist to know what I want to do, even when the fans tell me different.

Music is not an exact science so depending on the time and the mode and the energy when we do it that will determine what happens with it.

I don't care if Rick Ross is 40 years old -- he's a misguided 40-year-old person.

Michael Bloomberg is a sensible guy. He's just privileged. He's a goddamn billionaire, and he or his family members have never had to deal with anything as remotely degrading as stop and frisk. So he has no point of reference.

Harry Belafonte hit me to the Dream Defenders and I liked what they were about. When I asked them how I could help their movement, they said, "You can help by coming down here; you can tweet."

Now people won't beat you up if you are gay; they might just talk behind your back.

A true artist does not depend on radio for success. A true fan does not let radio determine what they support