People in my neighborhood inspired me to sing. Believe in your ability no matter what, but be realistic with yourself and your ability.

When I was a child I didn't care about getting an education, and I didn't finish high school.

It's up to us to choose whether we win or lose...and I choose to win.

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?

Don't go a full day or night without washing your face. You have to get all the dirt and makeup out of your pores.

I never do any album to beat it. I do it to extend it.

From being a little girl in the projects, going through all of the mess that I was going through, to ending up at the Inauguration for the first African-American president, I'm speechless right now because I never thought I'd - I never ever - I couldn't even see that far. Even when I ended up in the music business I couldn't see that.