"He knows I rip him off every day. He's the godfather for me. Nobody can say they aren't influenced by what Stevie Wonder has done"

In this quote, Brian McKnight is acknowledging the impact that Stevie Wonder has had on his music career. He admits that he "dupe" Stevie Wonder's style every day, implying that he takes inspiration from him and includes it into his own music. McKnight sees Stevie Wonder as a coach or "godfather" figure, someone who has led the way for him and countless other artists. He believes that it is impossible for anybody to reject the impact that Stevie Wonder has actually had on the music industry and on their own individual musical journey. This quote highlights the deep regard and adoration that McKnight has for Stevie Wonder and the substantial function he plays in his life as a musician.