“When I was about 15. I was just singing around, and people kept telling me I needed to try it. A friend got me to sing in front of Troy Taylor, and he took to me right there.”

I’m no dancer. I got rhythm, I can dance if I need to but I’m not Chris Brown. He’s an amazing dancer. If I’m not going to be amazing at it, I’m not gon’ do it. I’m gonna do what works for me and you’re going to feel it ’cause it’s me.

A lot of people are wanting him [Barack Obama] to be the president just because he’s black. But I think he does have some good views.

I’ve been in front of the camera a million times as a musician, and even directed a few music videos. So, I know a lot about spacing, focus, blocking, etcetera. So, acting isn’t totally new for me. Still, I find it fascinating, because you actually get to be another person.

Success is what you envisage it to be. You have to go into any profession knowing what you want because people will place expectations on you and their idea of success could taint yours.

I don’t really do glasses. It’s a good look, but I’m not big on wearing clear glasses for fashion. And I don’t wear too many shades because my fans love to see my eyes.

The people who support me and my dreams make me feel like I’m on top of the world.

I love music, so if I wasn’t singing, I would probably still be working in the music industry. I love songwriting, so I’d probably be a songwriter.

As blacks, all we got is sports and entertainment. That’s the only way out the hood sometimes.

I wish I never fell so deep in love with you and now it ain’t no way we can be friends.

I don’t think music can be held. I don’t think artists can be put into boxes or places. It’s all about creating and making the best music you can.

I think everybody gets lonely sometimes. I don’t know if people can ever understand how you can be in a room full of people and be lonely sometimes.

Change is a natural form of progression.

From the music I make, to the things I do in my life, I’m true to my R&B core.

I love Calvin Klein underwear. That’s the only kind of underwear I wear.

Petersburg, growing up at home, all by my family and friends, Petersburg really, city-raised me, you know everybody there.

I’ve never really been settled. I don’t think I’ve ever known what it was like to be a person that was used to sitting still. I think it’s given me the ability to detach from any situation.

I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.

A friend gathers all the pieces and gives them back in the right order.

Be friends first when you’re dating. If it turns into something more, that’s awesome, and if not you have another friend.

Never lose hope, my heart, miracles dwell in the invisible. If the whole world turns against you keep your eyes on the Friend.

We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.

Trust is hard to come by. That’s why my circle is small and tight. I’m kind of funny about making new friends.

I defeat my enemies when I make them my friends.

I get my exercise being a pallbearer for those of my friends who believed in regular running and calisthenics.