Quotes from Fantastic Negrito

I think things happen, and we have no control over them, and what you take from them is really what is important.

My most revered hero is Robert Johnson. His lyrics are so consistent with rap: the danger, the boldness, the creativity.

I think that was always my strength. I was never a great player, but I could write.

I think once I had lived life, once I had failed enough in this lifetime and got back up a thousand times from failing, I really connected to the blues.

My life, my failures. I hope that gives people the lesson to rebuild their own lives.

I had a dream, as young people have quite idealistic dreams and goals, of, 'I'm going to go to Los Angeles, and I'm going to become a star!' I did get this huge record deal, and I recorded this music under Xavier. That didn't really work out.

I always call myself a recovering narcissist. I lived my life thinking everything was about me.

I could have worked with great people like Nile Rodgers, which I regret. I don't have many regrets, but I remember he'd shown some interest, and I was just in my own world, man.

I became Fantastic Negrito, and I felt like there was a rawness and an honesty in that music that I could relate to. That I was ready, finally, in my life to be that honest with myself.

I was raised on African music, Harry Belafonte, and the Boston Pops. Then I got a dose of soul and hip-hop. I related to it immediately.

When I look into the audience, and I just know we understand each other, I can see their faces, and they know what I'm talking about. I feel like I've helped. Everything I've been through in my life, it helps people. Then that makes it worth it.

'The Duffler' is a very familiar story, a story about someone having something and not appreciating it until it's gone, when it's too late.

I thought my story was over. But that was when I realised I finally had a story to tell - and it seems to remind people of their own story.

'Push back' is the word; that's what we gotta do against ignorance. I see so much of it, and it's dangerous.

Prince was a hero. He was the brother, the black man that was a little different. As a kid, you thought, 'Wow, he's different. If he can do it, I can do it.' I read that he was self-taught, so I started teaching myself to play the piano.

Jimmy Iovine signed me personally to a million-dollar contract, and I lost my identity for a long time. That system is so predicated on making a hit, or you're out of here.

I like going out and looking at people, and they inspire me so much.

I came up with the album name 'Please Don't Be Dead' because I felt like we'd lost our way as a society - and I know what happens when you chase the wrong things. It's the story of my life.

Usually when tragedy is present, a great art movement is right behind it.

I heard Skip James, and it pierced me. It felt like punk rock to me, real and raw. It was just one guitar, so simple yet so much expression. I wanted to feel and express like that, to take the shortest path to get to an emotion.

The idea of 'raw' music, to me, is honesty: getting people to feel you with the least amount of production possible, the shortest distance traveled emotionally, sonically.

I want to make other people around me smarter and more powerful.

I write songs. I perform. I play the guitar. I play the keyboard.

I hitchhiked to L.A. with $100 and a keyboard.