I lost a lot of homeboys growing up, a lot of family, at early ages.

My craft's been rising. I'm a student of the game and I'm still growing.

Growing up in the projects, I've been around music all my life. Marvin Gaye, everything man.

From where I come from, it's gutter, dog. I look back on that and I think, 'That's strong.' Without growing up where I came from, I wouldn't be the man I am today, a strong minded individual.

Raymond Chandler managed to write about L.A. his whole career. Should I keep going writing about New York? Is that what I should be doing? Songwriting doesn't work that way.

I genuinely wanted to be an inspiration to other people and inspire people and be a role model.

I'm fortunate enough to take care of my family and provide for them, and that motivates me to keep going.

Over the years, many people on a spiritual journey have asked me why I keep going on about politics, and many people involved in politics have asked me why I keep going on about spirituality.