Self-Produced Quotes

Getting a Grammy nomination for 'Brooklyn' meant a lot, especially because, as an album, it was one that was very personal to me but also one that I self-produced and had gone outside the label.

Some situations you cause yourself.

I write all my own music, everything.

Early on, I joined that large group of show business cadets who were 'multi-hyphenates,' 'independents,' 'self produced' or 'alternately financed.' Sometimes, most times, I've had to do it all: raise the money, write the script, produce, direct and act in the film.

You have to find a sound that reflects what our souls feel like inside, how our bodies actually feel. That's why we made our own beats. We couldn't find a producer who could give us the feeling to match our lyrics.

I had my own documentary that I filmed in D.C., which is where I'm from.

It is easier to make a film but difficult to make it on your own terms. In that sense 'Madras Cafe' was a very satisfying experience.

I'm very hands on with my music - I do all the artwork and everything myself - and the songs I write aren't necessarily the most commercial.

'Side A' was a project that I wanted to do, stuff that I produced completely, and it was just stuff that I was dealing with.