Describe your new album in three words? Need a hug. [Laughs]

All-time favorite drummer? Stephen Ferrone. Formerly of the Average White Band. The [group's] only black dude.

Best James Brown album? Revolution of the Mind. Live at the Apollo, Volume 3. It's definitely the funkiest and most exciting.

Better afro: Yours or Ben Wallace's? What's even crazier is this bulk of America thinks Ben Wallace plays the drums. That's the sad shit. I'm not going to be that guy that's egocentric. I'm going to say that Ben Wallace has the better afro. No, actually Will Ferrell.

All-time most influential hip-hop album? It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. Which is precisely why we're releasing our record twenty years to the month, on the same label that Public Enemy released their record.

Prince or Michael Jackson? I'm wish I had a smart answer for you, like, Johnny Cash. [laughs]. I'ma tell you why I'm going to say Michael Jackson. I'm friends with Prince and he hates idol worship, autographs, compliments—he hates hero stances. And he's a rock star, so go figure. The fact that I would idolize him; he can't stand that.

All-time Favorite producer? J Dilla.

Current favorite producer? J Dilla. Matter fact, can I put J Dilla in place of Michael Jackson?

Favorite Roots album? Uh, oh God, now I'm going to sound like the egotistical producer. Rising Down.

Best live hip-hop show? 20 years and going strong, Public Enemy gave a very amazing show four weeks ago that blew me away. These muhfuckas still got it.

Second best? As far as performance and charisma, I still say that Mos Def is one of the most engaging hip-hop figures I've worked with. He's practically able to spontaneously go any place the music takes him.

Will hip-hop ever sell like it used to? Never. And I'm cool with that.

More From King