I'm trying to change the root of funk, trying to make it more progressive, more melodic and more lyrically structured. Rick James More Quotes by Rick James More Quotes From Rick James I was angry about the fact that my father would beat my mother on a daily basis, that my mother would like take it in turn and beat on me. I was an abused child. I was mad about all those things, very bitter and very angry. Rick James mother father children If I told you Jesus Christ was black you're going to be afraid of me because I'm telling you the truth. That's where I always come from. Rick James black jesus christ After I saw Kiss on stage, I wanted my show to look like the fourth of July. The persona of Rick James was wild and crazy, sex, drugs and rock and roll. Rick James kissing crazy sex I had $20 million in the bank, girls are following me all over the f - place, people call my name everywhere I go. What would I change? And then one day you get onstage and you see two little girls who look like they are 11 years old sticking their tongues out and pulling their bras down and you quit touring. That's what happened to me. Rick James girl names years When I'm about Rick James, it's all about get out there and kill 'em. Rick James ems I went to India, lived, and studied. Rick James india KISS hammered home the importance of high drama...I decided to design my show with the same goal; I wanted my fans to remember my show for the rest of their lives. Rick James kissing home drama I think rap definitely has its place in the art world. I think it is an art form. But, just like any art form, you can misuse it. Rick James rap art thinking I didn't even think I would make it that long. I thought I would drug overdose, like Jimi Hendrix. I thank God every day to even be here. Rick James drug long thinking Prison was a blessing. Going to prison was the greatest thing that happened to me. It showed me that I wasn't infallible. It showed me that I was just human. It showed me that I can be back with my ghetto brothers I grew up with and have a good time. It taught me to cool out. It taught me patience. It taught me that I didn't ever want to lose my freedom. It taught me that drugs bring on the devil. It taught me to grow up. Rick James ghetto growing-up brother I don't think the white establishment will ever respect or appreciate a black man who speaks the truth. Rick James white men thinking I'm not part of the Hollywood scene. I don't run around with 30 women. I have a very calm household. I'm surrounded by my grandkids and wonderful friends, and I consider myself very lucky. Rick James wonderful-friends hollywood running You can't outdo 'Street Songs' and I didn’t even try. [It] had that special magic that comes with timing and good vibrations and you can't even try to capture that exactly again. Rick James magic special song I decided to build up my band in Buffalo because Buffalo was where I had originally built up my own musical strength. Rick James buffalo band musical I'm finally locked into the now, and it's great. Rick James locked I was going to get drafted, but I didn't really want to go into the Army. Rick James army want I mean, Rick James was just a man-made image, the image I created. Just trying to live Rick James almost killed me. Rick James trying men mean I wanted to play the Apollo Theater because I didn't think I was going to be on the earth long. Rick James play long thinking That girl is pretty kinky, the girl's a super-freak, I'd really like to taste her. Rick James kinky quality girl My music is pretty honest. I can't rap on science fiction. Punk is from the street. Rick James honest rap fiction