I wouldn’t be able to do the songs as long as I’ve been doing if I didn’t feel the pulse of the world. But I can feel people and I know what they want. I feel like I know how they are, because I am the people. And I just have a gift.
Once I started singing, I didn’t have to try to be cool. I was just one of the coolest guys around.
It’s amazing to know that 5 years ago I was writing songs in a basement in the ghetto and now I’m writing for Michael Jackson. I’d be a fool not to say it’s a dream come true.
I went from a D all the way to an A plus, I tell you prayer changes things.
This album was designed to touch your soul.
Just listen to all this sweet, sweet music. I’m working the music.
I was the highest-paid street performer, probably, in the history of Chicago. I was making like $800 a day.
When I think of musical geniuses, I think of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Prince. That’s who comes to mind.
If I’m going to be a leader then I have to go places that other people are afraid to go to. That’s what makes a leader. To be not afraid to step out and go over the frontline. To stare darkness right in the face.
I like to give people more than their money’s worth.
I look at my music in the beginning, and the sexual songs, the partying songs, those are the realities because those things happen.
My greatest competition is, well, me.
I am very conscious of who I am as an artist and as an inspirational person.
Soon as I see her walk up in the club, I’m a flirt. Winking eyes at me, when I roll up on them dubs, I’m a flirt. Sometimes when I’m with my chick on the low, I’m a flirt. And when she’s wit her man looking at me, damn right, I’m a flirt.
My mother wasn’t rich, and I never seen my father. I was a street performer. I’ve been shot. And now I’m known around the world, and I’ve touched a lot of people with my music. That’s one of the great testimonies that’s gonna go down in history.
When I was performing on streets, there was no pressure. People accepted me. They loved me without knowing me.
While the angels sing, I’d ask you to marry me, give you the sun for a diamond ring, if I could do those things.
When you hear romantic music It makes you want to take your girl out to dinner or buy her something or take her out In the moonlight or take her on a walk.
When a person is found not guilty, they’re found not guilty. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a murder case, it doesn’t matter what case it is, when they’re found not guilty, they’re not guilty.
My mother always told me if you write about life, you will always be in the game. Just don’t write songs write life. I decided to take her up on that.