It was Elvis who really got me hooked on beat music. When I heard "Heartbreak Hotel" I thought, this is it

In my music, my plays, my films, I want to carry always this central idea: to be African.

I'm just glad to be feeling better. I really thought I'd be seeing Elvis soon.

You can only make political music if you have a context. . . . You cannot make political music in a vacuum. It'd be like me writing songs now about Margaret Thatcher. It'd just make no sense. But I think in the wake of 9-11 people are trying to articulate their feelings.

I don't really have time to sit down and write. But when I think of a melody, I call up my answering machine and sing it, so I won't forget it.

It was Elvis who really got me hooked on beat music. When I heard 'Heartbreak Hotel' I thought, this is it.