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I've always been interested in any kind of great music, and African music is, I think, the source of it all.

My music is really fun music, with some pan-African and pan-American influences.

Drums just always sounded like the most fun part of that good music for me.

You say 'African music' and you think 'tribal drumming.' But there's a lot of African music that's like James Brown, and a lot, too, that sounds very Hispanic.

Good music is good music.

If I were to call it black music, that would be untrue. I don't know what that is, unless it would be some African drums or something.

The drums of Africa still beat in my heart. They will not let me rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl without a chance to prove his worth.

Egyptian drumming happens to be a favorite of mine. It's a really simple instrument, but it's really difficult to play. You can take it anywhere with you - you can play it in your room, in an airport. It's very quiet, so you explore the quiet side.

Good music is good music, but it has to be good.

Making music is fantastic.