My first album, 'Get Lifted,' was a hip-hop soul album that had some of its roots in the church, as far as the sonic choices, in the way that I sing and write songs. I have always had that as part of my background and part of my influence when I am making music.

Jackson and Bernie Mac. i. On September 21 2008 he also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London UK in conjunction with the Peace One Day concert.

He has won nine Grammy Awards and in 2007 he received the special Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He lent his voice to Magnetic Man's "Getting Nowhere" Kanye West's "All of the Lights" on Slum Village's "Selfish" and Dilated Peoples' "This Way".