Music, of all the liberal arts, has the greatest influence over the passions, and it is to that which the legislator ought to give the greatest encouragement.

Artists reach areas far beyond the reach of politicians. Art, especially entertainment and music, is understood by everybody, and it lifts the spirits and the morale of those who hear it.

Music is art, and art is important and rare. Important, rare things are valuable. Valuable things should be paid for.

It's my opinion that music should not be free, and my prediction is that individual artists and their labels will someday decide what an album's price point is. I hope they don't underestimate themselves or undervalue their art.

I am committed to my art. I believe that all art has as its ultimate goal the union between the material and the spiritual, the human and the divine. I believe that to be the reason for the very existence of art. And I feel I was chosen as an instrument to just give music and love and harmony to the world. To children of all ages, and adults and teenagers.... I love people of all races from my heart, with true affection.

There is a lot of snobbery towards pop music, to me and pop in general - it's kind of a despised art form.