Frankly I love the word 'nigga.' It is my favorite word in the English language because no other word incites more controversy today.

Hip hop is inherently political, the language is political. It uses language as a weapon -- not a weapon to violate or not a weapon to offend, but a weapon that pushes the envelope that provokes people, makes people think.

In classical music, love is based on bitin' -- imitation. It's not based on interpretation. A jazz musician, if he plays someone else's song, has a responsibility to make a distinct and original statement.

[They were treated with a letter that warned about consequences for] disruptive behavior, foul/abusive language, and obscene gestures. ... I'm not outraged just for black people, I'm not outraged just for Gateway Classic people, I'm outraged for any person who's stayed in a hotel or would stay in a hotel in St. Louis or would bring a convention to St. Louis. I'm very concerned with the city I love that might be construed as unfriendly to any tourist.

I wish I was a rapper. There are certainly times when I wish I could just drop an album and channel all my ideas, anger, humor and energy into some music and be done with it.

Network television is not interested in civil rights; they're interested in making money. If things that will generate money are diverse in any way, so be it, but if not, they'll go in the other direction.