Melody always comes to me first before words - cadence and melody. When you're humming the melody and it's incredible and words start coming out it can build into something special.

Where I'm from is like 'Hustle Flow' versus '8 Mile.' It's that really grimy, box-Chevy, dope-boy, working-class music.

I definitely prefer intimate crowds. I mean, those are always the best shows, like, a small venue. Packed to the gills. Hot, sweaty. Those are always the fun shows.

I'm always gonna have the darker edgy music; it is always in my pocket because it comes so naturally to me.

I'm never in the mood to eat or drink when I get to a show. I'm just too nerved out.

This is hip-hop. If you've got something you want to rap about, just rap about it, man.

American music culture is black culture.