I haven't written too many political lyrics. Nor have I written any pro-Canada lyrics, any kind of jingoistic, nationalistic cant... That stuff doesn't interest me and I don't even know if I could write that if I tried because I don't really feel it.
I think all songs should have weather in them. Names of towns and streets, and they should have a couple of sailors. I think those are just song prerequisites.
The road, lyric-wise, is a trap, and a bore. Maybe it's interesting to me, but I don't think it's a connecting thing with other humans. What is there to write about? Truck stops, hotels, clubs?
The songs that work best are broad lyrically and have one strong concept in the metaphor.
All my early lyrics were about confidence.
When I'm in the studio with other rappers, we talk about social issues.
My music reflects the time on which we live, both in terms of arrangements, as well as in the subjects treated in the lyrics.
I like to deal in the reality of life. I'm too old to sing about women and things like that.
I studied Paul Simon's 'Slip Slidin' Away' and 'Still Crazy After All These Years.' I wanted to explore adult themes, portraying the hurt that's in even a good relationship.
I don't want to rap about my car. How generic is that? Be creative.
People have habits about what they think songs should be like. There's the folky thing of: "Poor me, I'm a sensitive person in a cruel world." Or the pop thing of: "Hey, look at me, I'm sexy."
