“Beyoncé built her f–king foundation from the bottom. I think that’s the exact career every female artist wants to have.”

It’s nice to always make an effort when you get photographed.

I really have paid my dues! When I get to stay in fancy hotel suites these days I remind myself of that.

I have had young fascinations but never love.

I don’t think I could do a reality show, no.

Know yourself; keep your circle tight. Keep your friends and your work circle tight.

Everyone thinks their mom is a superhero, and l feel like I want to be just like my mom. A superhero. She’s a very strong lady.

Roc Nation is such an incredible, unique team, especially in the music industry. Everyone genuinely loves and cares about each other.

I don’t know what it feels like not to have a great family support system – I was lucky to have that.

When I record music I like to be in one place and kind of have a base to keep going back to.

I have always liked the contrast between being blonde and having dark features.

I’ve always tried to be independent. It’s just my personality. I’ve always been the type to motivate the camp. I’ve always wanted to be the fuel for something—for music, the fuel for my family, the fuel for my best friend. Helping someone with what I’m doing.

I’d love to go on a safari – I’ve never been on a safari.

When it comes down to the music, it’s just you and the microphone. It’s not you and the record execs.

You can tell an honest artist from one who’s just given all their songs.

When I was a kid, I’d spray paint my hair, cut clothes up.

Women love an honest man.

I think I’m a much better painter than an actor.

It feels like I’m starting to come into my own in terms of where I want to go artistically, toward more complicated, interesting characters.

All were artists, playing foolish, having fights and making love as if the rest of the world had no racial problems whatsoever.

People sometimes ask if I want to be a solo artist, but it just wouldn’t be any fun being on your own.

There are two men inside the artist, the poet and the craftsman. One is born a poet. One becomes a craftsman.

I want to sell out arenas and make an album and work with some of the best artists in the world.

I am an artist. I am here to live out loud.

I grew up in an artists community in New York, in a building that was government-subsidised for artists. No one made any money, but they made art for the sake of art.