I have to strive to go two steps forward and realize that, sometimes, there will be one step back.

I don't have the activist temperament. I like listening to divergent points of view and hearing people out. I like getting along. I even like being liked, although activists of any stripe should get rid of that handicap at the outset.

Being vegan is a glorious adventure. It touches every aspect of my life - my relationships, how I relate to the world.

I know that as a vegan, I'm in a minority. People love their meat. It's up there with sugar and TV and maybe even coffee on the list of inalienable American rights.

A mission is a place where you ask nonbelievers to come and find faith and hope and feel love.

I didn't want to be a rapper full time. You know, Big L kinda - God bless the dead - influenced me to do that.

Purple - I mean, the music and the influence and the subliminal touches range from orchestral conversation to jazz to blues and soul and God knows what. It's a vast range of expressions.

Get out of your house and go see some live performance, for God's sake. There are people creating things just outside your window.