Quotes from Rick James

I try to make the audience forget all their problems -- for an hour and a half or so get them out of themselves, and space, and time, and consciousness.

You and I, we'll be together 'til the six is nine.

I wrote and produced millions and millions of selling records, so my publishing company alone was worth millions of dollars. I didn't have to work anymore in life because when the rappers started sampling... I'm the most sampled artist in history.

If I told you Jesus Christ was black you're going to be afraid of me because I'm telling you the truth. That's where I always come from.

I don't think the white establishment will ever respect or appreciate a black man who speaks the truth.

I'm a long way from Ike Turner.

I'm not part of the Hollywood scene. I don't run around with 30 women. I have a very calm household. I'm surrounded by my grandkids and wonderful friends, and I consider myself very lucky.

I'm trying to change the root of funk, trying to make it more progressive, more melodic and more lyrically structured.

I went to India, lived, and studied.

I wanted to play the Apollo because I didn't think I was going to be on the earth long.

I was going to get drafted, but I didn't really want to go into the Army.

I think the people are just looking for freedom in music...There's a lot of she-bop she-bop going on out there. Maybe they're tired of that same old thing.