I listen to a lot of alternative types of music: I listen to a lot of Chinese music, I listen to a lot of Asian music. It might surprise you, but I listen to a lot of Arabic music. And I don't care - music is music.

It hurts when people put you down.

I've always tried different stuff in the studio. I use rakes, spoons, cans... I'm a surround-sound type of guy.

I know somebody in every culture.

I'm trying to do something real different; I'm trying to bring the street to real pop. I'm trying to bring the street to pop. Not watering it down, no nothing.

Everyone wants to work with the big new producer or the hot new singer. The key is to find them before they're hot.

I don't have beef with nobody.