01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, August 15, 2004

Princely utterances:

On his musical growth: "I'm older now. Older in the sense I'm more experienced. Always trying do something I haven't done before. You're dealing with a grown man, and I see a whole different perspective."

On Stevie Wonder: "Music is in his bloodstream. If he didn't do it, he would perish."

On Ani DiFranco: "So smart. You can just listen to her all day. Wow."

On speaking your mind in music after the Dixie Chicks backlash: "Have you heard anything? It's pretty silent on the artistic front. That's not profitable. Rock 'n' roll is different now. It's not profitable to have an opinion."

On politicians and "Dear Man" on Musicology: "It's aimed at lies, liars and mendacity. The absurdity. You don't inspire me. Why am I listening to you right now?"

On sex-sex-sex in pop music: "You can be racy sometimes. But you got anything else?"

On being spoofed by Dave Chappelle on Chappelle's Show: "Loved it. He's a friend of mine. They wanted me to be in it."