I think living in so many different and culturally rich cities taught me that I could adapt any style and energy I wanted. White girls in Mount Olive, New Jersey, put me on Britney Spears, Metro Station, Fall Out Boy and The Outfield. Spanish kids in Smyrna, Georgia, taught me about Tego Calderón, Aventura, and Daddy Yankee. When I was fresh from West Africa, kids in Paulding County, Georgia, taught me about Lil Jon, Bone Crusher, Lil Flip, Young Jeezy, T.I., Lil Scrappy Crime Mob Crew…
I was on VH1 Soul listening to Kelis, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and Slum Village. I was watching MTV Jams losing my mind when Slim Thug, Paul Wall and Mike Jones linked up with DJ Watts to drop Still Tippin’. And then, my uncle is playing me Portishead and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nirvana, or The Meat Puppets. All throughout my childhood, I’m taking in these different artists and experiences and learning how to adapt styles.
With the kind of exposure I’ve had, it was inevitable for me to just try on all these different styles. In a way, it’s me trying to keep my childhood alive. My songs now are just me reliving and recreating the feelings attached to certain memories.