I don't let people use me. That's why I like a small number of people in my life. The more people in my life, the more complex it becomes, so I just try to keep it at a minimum.
I would say that my peak was making my first million at the ripe age of 29, after the first album.
I don't even have voice mail, and people get all out of shape about that. But, you know what, I don't want to transcribe your message; I want to talk to you. And that kind of freaks people out a bit. They go, 'Oh, who has time to talk?' and I'm like, 'Well, I'm gonna make time.'
I love radio, but it's a very limited thing today. Everything has to be edited down to 3:59, and too bad if I didn't make my statement in three minutes and 59 seconds. Everybody's song has to make its point so quickly.
Typically, the theme of my albums, if there is a theme, is, 'How does it feel?' And that always leads to love songs. It just does.
I would make far more money if every song were my own, but I don't write to fill up the album with my songs.
It's impossible to write and produce a record when your parents are dying. I really tried, I really, really tried, but it just wouldn't come.
I need my career. That's what validates me.
Most artists are notoriously insecure, and I fall into that category.
When you're away for a long time, tastes change, fans move on. You hate to think about it, but it's an ugly fact of life.
I don't think being black has held me back at all. Being black makes you strong.
