Learning to appreciate those things that aren't related to success has proved the biggest lesson.

My high school career counsellor said I shouldn't pursue music as a career.

I studied audio engineering at university. The background I am from, music was never seen as a viable career; it was always a hobby.

Hype is a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing if you aren't prepared to back it up.

I've always felt that God, himself, has chosen me for his purpose, for higher callings whether it's to be an inspiration to somebody else's life, whether it's to change somebody else's life, or whether it's to be that support or light in somebody else's life.

I got a lot of motivation from my character of people-watching. And if they do something that annoys me, I steal it and do it because I know it annoys other people. If it annoys me, it's going to annoy you.

My mother was a very big inspiration. She loved fashion. I loved art in school, and I was very good at drawing. I could sit at the table forever and just dream up collections and draw.

Just keep going like crazy and look back when it's over. Otherwise you just get confused.