It's interesting that a lot of female artists want to collaborate with me.

It's unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&B this-or-that, don't have to do anything by default.

I'm listening to a lot of Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna. A lot of pop female artists. I have to say I'm pretty well-versed in the pop female category.

I hope and believe we are paving a better future for female artists to come.

It's important for any artist - particularly female artists - to feel completely comfortable and to know what they're trying to do.

We showed the industry that female artists could attract the same audiences as the big male stars.