I'm a firm believer in time. I know a lot of people don't believe in time like I do, but I think time heals and kind of reveals all for me.
Often, it's the little things, like the title of a song, that can make a huge difference in its success.
If it came down to it, I wish people heard different records from me that I know give you a soul R&B sound of music that I know is really my gift, gift. But the ones that usually go are the records that radio, the fans and the clubs really love the most.
I got archives of records. I have records from when I was 17 that I still think are pretty dope.
I grew up in a household in which they'd always play old skool classic R&B love songs - Al Green, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye... And my mom has even said that, when I was in her womb, she'd put the headphones to her stomach and play those songs to me!
My competition keeps me driven. My family and son and being home in Chicago keeps me humble, and my fans. They're the reason why I'm going hard and making sure everyone knows how to say my name.
Effortlessly, I feel like my records have longevity.
A lot of people are scared to come visit my hometown, but to me, violence is everywhere, man.
When I look for a woman, I look for one that's real - that's keeping it 100. I rather someone know that they're sexy and not show it.
I work well under pressure. Actually, I love pressure.
If it was up to me, every show would start at midnight, and I'd give people the best of me.
I still listen to Ginuwine, man. I can still listen to Donell Jones.
When I first got signed, I used to literally pick up a pen and pad. Write bars in my notes, even whole songs. Nowadays, I just go off the feeling.
R. Kelly is one of the pioneers that I grew up listening to. If he's classified as an R&B artist, then I want to be like that. I don't want to have limits either.
Def Jam, they've shown nothing but love as far as supporting my records. We haven't missed yet, radio-wise, and every song that they've actually tried to support has been No. 1.
Everyone always wants to say I'm shy. I don't think so, but there's a disconnect with my fans. I want my fans to see me - that's what they never do.
I can't wait 'til the world embraces Chicago - not only for our talent, but just to visit our city and not be so scared to come to it and not be subjected to what people's perception is of it.
As far as romancing and catering to the women, I'm definitely here for all that.
I've never had vocal training. No one could ever say that they helped me carve what my voice has become. It's just been more of self-training: me just continuously going into the studio every night and trying out different beats.
There are artists that actually don't like going into the studio. They get mad when people say they've got a session. I'm just the opposite. I actually enjoy it.
