A: When something breaks, the light gets let in. Some of the most amazing people in life have also suffered tremendously. It’s not victory that defines you, it’s how you respond to being knocked the fuck down. I admire heart.
Q: Wow, interesting. Have you suffered in your life?
A: Tremendously. I’ll leave it at that. But I know I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I hadn’t suffered.
Q: Wow, has suffering impacted your art?
A: Absolutely, yes. How could it not? After 30 years of working with music, I have found myself. Word Up is the manifestation of years of suffering, of playing shows when no one is there but you and the sound guy, and coming home and wanting to quit because you know you sound like shit. But I didn’t quit. I didn’t get some stupid job where that defines who I am. I stuck with it through the hard times and now I’ve flourished.
Q: How would you characterize Word Up? Why is it so defining?
A: Word Up is a kid on the back of the bus farting and busting up all the other kids. It’s the chance I always wanted to take. It’s that word you were so afraid to speak and never did while talking to someone. It’s like nothing I’ve ever done…but it’s the genius I always wanted to be…I always thought I could be.