I respect hippos. They just look the way they do; they can't do anything about it, but they don't seem bothered.

I really love jazz, but I will never be a jazz musician as much as I dream. But, I think that the jazz music I love is there in my music.

You don't have to aim to be the best of everything, thinking that one day you're going to be the top of the world; I don't think it exists.

My songs are very personal, which means they are fantastically therapeutic to write, but performing them night after night is emotionally draining.

I like pastels and lighter shades on darker skins. I feel like it lifts everything and accentuates being chocolate.

Lizz Wright is my favourite singer. Her voice moves me and takes me to another place. She also grows her own food and that inspires me.

I don't talk about Amy Winehouse as a 'singer.' She's a pioneer. I listened to her endlessly when I started writing.