Yonkers made me strong and made me believe in myself, because so many people would doubt you and not believe. There are people that would believe in you, but the environment was so harsh, nobody wanted you to get out, you know?

We are all spirits. We get depressed. But music makes you want to live. I know my music has saved my life.

I blame my mother for nothing, but forgive her for everything.

When you come from so many damaged places you don't ever want to spiral back there, so you gotta continue to check yourself.

It was only for two years, and I jumped from family to family. It's very scary.

I think everyone should understand history of segregation the same way we had to go to school and read about George Washington. I believe this generation should know their history and they should know that the struggle's not over yet. For instance, you can't get the cover of a magazine if your skin is too dark.

The younger Mary J. Blige, I would call her, she was very unaware, ignorant.