Growing up, I was confused about my identity: I felt like I wasn't black enough to be black, but not white enough to be white.

I definitely idolised Beyonce growing up.

I've been working a lot with this girl Kelly Kiara. She's amazing. She's going to be super important for R&B coming out of the U.K.

Youssou N'Dour was really important to me growing up.

People can't go into the street endlessly. My friends get asked why aren't they going to the next protest? They answer, 'Because we're tired of being thousands. I'm ready to become the 100,000th person at a rally, but I don't want to be the 10,000th. Because it's pointless.'

I've become close with Masoud Esmaeilpour and consider him a friend. We send each other messages from time to time on Instagram, checking in to see how the other is doing. Whenever I see him, he's always a gentleman, giving me tips about my next opponent. There is a tremendous amount of respect in our friendship.

A record like 'Price of Fame' - when you do get this success, how do you treat it, or how do you let it treat you? How does it affect your family and friends and the people around you? ... And I don't mind telling people what I've been through when it comes to the pressure I put on myself of wanting to be the best and the greatest.

Laughter is not a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is the best ending for one.