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.

And just because you're gay, I won't turn you away.
If you stick around, I'm sure we can find some common ground.

I never met a politician who didn't want to be a guitar player in a rock band. I've got the opportunity to say what I believe in.

Don't go changing, to try and please me You never let me down before Don't imagine you're too familiar And I don't see you anymore I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble We never could have come this far I took the good times, I'll take the bad times I'll take you just the way you are.

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.

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