I think people should know more of Africa in terms of its joie de vivre, its feeling for life. In spite of the images that one knows about Africa - the economic poverty, the corruption - there's a joy to living and a happiness in community, living together, in community life, which may be missing here in America.

When the slaves left Africa, they left us this music. They left us blues.

I have to protect my family and have a life with them that is completely private.

Listen, a lot of religions have fundamentalists.

When I'm in Senegal, I can't just sit in isolation making music. People need my help. And the Senegalese people helped create my music. It comes from the country itself.

Islam has been badly used by a certain ideology.

Africa is the future.