As I was coming up, there was so much naysaying, there was so much doubt, whether it was from my peers or people in the industry.

I knew so many people were coming up to me because they knew who I was, not because they were fans of my music. That bothered me because I don't want to be a celebrity; I want to be an artist.

Hip-hop influences my talent, but I think that punk and everything else I listened to growing up was who my idols were.

I was a huge punker growing up.

Now, I don't think President Obama and Vice President Biden get the credit they deserve for saving us from the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. Our economy is so much stronger than when they took office.

Washington, D.C., is the new Wall Street. No significant financial transaction of any consequence occurs without it.

One should live between extravagance and meanness. Don't save money by starving your mind. It is false economy never to take a holiday, or never to spend money for an evening's amusement or for a useful book.

Money and other tangibles will come and go; they shouldn't be the foundation of your marriage.