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I pay attention to lyrics and I know what rap fans care about. I try to write for the average listener and I'm conscious of the mainstream without selling out.

A lot of rappers don't have to go through what I had to go through as a singer. I was always in a bubble that they put me in, but I was always punching out. It was a tough line to walk.

When you do rap albums, you got to train yourself. You got to constantly be in character.

I still to this day get the most inspiration from rap lyrics.

When you have a reputation for making not only good songs but great albums, that in itself creates added artistic pressure. But, at the end of the day, I guess that pressure is something I welcome.

I loved rap, especially in the early days. But I wasn't trying to shove it down anybody's throats.

I love rap, and I try to write a bit like a rapper, to have a flow.

It must surprise people that I'm such a rap fan, but it's true. Sometimes, just staying in, putting on some rap music, and letting loose is all I need to have a good time.

When I first got into the rap game, I had an early dream of unifying rappers.

That's why I make mixtapes. That's why I work with Don Cannon; that's why i work with Big Sean. Even though I don't rap, I got love and acceptance in that community, and that's something that I really take seriously and hold close to my heart.