The protest years were over, not just for me but for a whole generation, and in music, just like in politics, many of the greatest talents were dead or in exile, and their place was filled by third-rate imitators.

I don't like rap music at all. I don't think it's music. It's just a beat and rapping.

As a political weapon, it has helped me for 30 years defend the rights of American blacks and third-world people all over the world, to defend them with protest songs. To move the audience to make them conscious of what has been done to my people around the world.

I had spent many years pursuing excellence, because that is what classical music is all about... Now it was dedicated to freedom, and that was far more important.

Greed has driven the world crazy. And I think I'm lucky that I have a place over here that I can call home.

I don't like rap music at all. I don't think it's music. It's just a beat and rapping.