Labrinth

You can make what you want. People care about what the artist has to say, what the sound is, and how it affects them.

My main thing is I just want to share as much hope and happiness as possible for music. If I can share as many moments and help people believe in themselves... if I can do that, then I'll feel like my job is done.

I grew up not really having a father figure, and it didn't bother me, because he wasn't there in the first place. But then he started other families, and I was jealous. It was like he was happy without our family.

My grandad's a gospel singer, and his children were singers, too. But I don't believe in God in the same way... not religion; it breaks us up too much. The same with musical styles - it breaks people up. I believe they are all one thing - why not put them together?

Everyone in my family has been in music - my cousins, my grandmother, my grandfather - so it's quite a big family tree.

I think producing a record for other artists is almost like giving them advice, and I would say that it is easier to produce another artist than it is to produce yourself.

When you make a record, I always imagine people dancing to it. If the chef thinks it tastes good, then there will be someone who ultimately believes the same thing.

I want to be a little bit brave. I want to feel scared sometimes. That's what's going to change the music business, if we have that kind of attitude.

You get so close to your own music that you can't see the beauty in it. I had to learn to let go. It's good to be less precious.

I'm not just looking to be famous and attach myself to famous names. I want to make history in the business in terms of creativity.

You can't go up to girls and start talking about minor 7ths and expect to pull. It's not going to work.

I actually tried to learn the dictionary at one point. It didn't work; I only got through the first few pages.