Quote

I just don't let music genres define me.

When I was growing up, hip-hop was still a pretty specialised thing.

I always say, 'Hip-hop takes me everywhere.' It's crazy when I step onstage, and people might not speak much English, but they know every word to your songs. It's kind of freaky, but it's really cool.

Years ago, I wanted to be like the girl Ne-Yo. You know, with the mid-tempo ballads - I come from the Babyface era. But that's not trendy; that's not hip-hop.

I am hip-hop!

I don't wanna be known as just a hip-hop artist. I wanna take it to a whole 'nother level.

Hip-hop is a way of life. It isn't a genre in truth in 'American Idol.'

We mix a lot of genres - soul, pop, jazz - but we most agree on hip-hop.

Sometimes you have the trends that's not that cool. You may have certain artists portraying these trends and don't really have that lifestyle, and then it gives off the wrong thing. And it becomes kinda corny after awhile. It's really about keeping hip-hop original and pushing away the corniness in it.