If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere; it's up to you, New York, New York.

A friend to me has no race, no class and belongs to no minority. My friendships were formed out of affection, mutual respect and a feeling of having something strong in common. These are eternal values that cannot be racially classified. This is the way I look at race.

The best revenge is massive success.

When I sing, I believe. I'm honest. If you want to get an audience with you, there's only one way. You have to reach out to them with total honesty and humility.

What I do with my life is of my own doing. I live it the best way I can.

Card players have a saying: "It's all right to play if you keep your eyes on the deck" - which is another way of saving, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

Don't respond to negativity with more negativity. Just put your head down and prove your critics wrong.