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I started singing because it was a natural evolution in hip-hop to me. Without Prince, I wouldn't have embraced that. I wouldn't have been able to embrace me.

Between Prince and my dad's fusion-jazz records, I didn't have a choice in being funky.

Then the album created a tremendous furor and got me kicked off Christian television for two months, and then restored after they settled down and listened to the music and realized there was nothing wrong with it.

I feel that after all those horrible reviews and jokes, I wasn't crazy all these years to stand up for the music I believe in. This album has proven that somewhere in the human race, the human heart is still racing and breaking and I am so grateful.

A few years ago my goal was to try and get the goddamned album made, which put me in a real bad frame of mind.

I love artists like Prince, who hold on to that element of mystery.

I think Prince should open up a little more to other artists. Just because we love Prince. Especially the old stuff - we love him to death. But if he opened up he would be something to deal with. Imagine Kanye West producing a Prince track? It would be banoodles!

My first album done what it had to do. It introduced me.

Prince used to call me up 3am in the morning and invite me to hear some of his new songs.