Mannie Fresh

The whole '400 Degreez' album was inspired by what Outkast was doing, Organized Noize. That was what I was listening to around that time.

With time, everything changes. I know I'm not the same person who I used to be. I totally get that.

I get most of my reading done whenever I'm in the airport waiting on a flight, have some time to kill, and I have a book with me.

For those from my era, my age, that 2Pac vs. Biggie war will go on forever about who is the greatest. But I was more of a Biggie dude.

Kanye inspires me through his work ethic and his approach.

A lot of artists are scared when they see trumpet players show up - they like, 'Nah, that ain't what I want.' I try to tell them, 'Dude, I'll give you trademark Mannie Fresh, but it's not about keyboards and a drum machine.'