You can usually tell when people aren't being authentic, but that goes for every artist, not just white artists.

My grandmother, grandfather, my mom - we've always been driven by laughter. It's what held us together. Thanksgivings, any kind of family get-together, we usually end up in tears.

Sometimes I want to party, sometimes I want to fight and sometimes I want to cry.

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

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.

I'm from the South, and there's a different understanding of how to chop. There's a syllable play. It's a delicate art. Your accent has a lot to do with it. If you're from a certain area, words don't roll of your tongue as slick.

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