I’m trying to change the root of funk, trying to make it more progressive, more melodic and more lyrically structured.
I’m too old to do crazy things anymore.
I’m finally locked into the now, and it’s great.
I went to India, lived, and studied.
My music is pretty honest. I can’t rap on science fiction. Punk is from the street.
I decided to build up my band in Buffalo because Buffalo was where I had originally built up my own musical strength.
Off stage it’s cool-out time. You can’t funk and roll ALL the time.
I feel that I have to say something in a song and that it’s not just enough to lay down the music.
I wanted to play the Apollo Theater because I didn’t think I was going to be on the earth long.
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.
Now is my time. Everything I’ve done up to this point is just a warm up. This is where it all begins.
I think rap definitely has its place in the art world. I think it is an art form. But, just like any art form, you can misuse it.
I’m really not tailored for responsibility.
I’m a long way from Ike Turner.
You and I, we’ll be together ’til the six is nine.
I was going to get drafted, but I didn’t really want to go into the Army.
I just live one day at a time.
I believe everything happens under God’s plan anyway.
That girl is pretty kinky, the girl’s a super-freak, I’d really like to taste her.
She’s the kind you don’t take home to mother.
When I’m about Rick James, it’s all about get out there and kill ’em.