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I haven't traveled in Africa nearly as much as I'd like to. I've been there a few times, and I'd like to learn more about the various cultures in Africa. But that's the basis point of where all of the music that I love is based upon, from Africa to Cuba to Puerto Rico to South America.

Music in Africa often contains messages. Music in Senegal, and Africa, is never music for music's sake or solely for entertainment. It's always a vehicle for social connections, discussions and ideas.

There's a similarity between European and North African folk musics.

I once knew a girl who didn't know where anywhere was in the world. Not a clue. I asked her if she knew where Africa was and she answered, 'Is it the orange one on a map?'

There's something really powerful when I, for example, hear Bob Marley's 'Exodus' - we know where we're going. We know where we're from.

There is a lot of melody and things that sound familiar in hundreds of songs.

I think music is one of the hero/sheroes of the African-American existence.

We need self-confidence in our ability to build Africa. I trust in Mali and I trust in music.

I was a beach boy, and I believe I learned my songs from the birds of the Brazilian forest.

In Africa, music is for everything, Music was originally used for community. That was what music was for.