Life as a poet and actor truly became full circle as I stood on stage as host of 'Verses & Flow' and lived in both of these outfits. It was one of the best experiences of my professional life.

I was raised looking at women who were strong, and they weren't really into playing race cards or playing gender cards. I didn't grow up around women who were like, 'Well, let the boys do that, and let the girls do that.' I didn't really see that in my house.

Women are so necessary for us in terms of support.

I'm always like, 'Well, let's not rest on a critical acclaim or on a incredible review or on a great reception.'

The point of my job is to entertain and make it look easy, so I guess it's the parts you don't often see which make me feel proud. All the behind the scenes work, the fears and insecurities I have to face and overcome to improve myself as a person and performer, all of the people who believe in me and encourage me.

To have a job you can count on as an actor is so rare, whether that means belonging to a regional theater company or being on TV.

My career has been as clear as a crystal.

To me, Def Jam put my career on hold. I was used to making 13-14 songs a year, and they trickled that down to nothing.