There's still injustice happening in my world. I sing my songs at concerts and I'm so grateful that the people are ready to hear them.

I won't wear rings and jewelry on the stage because I don't want you looking at my hands. I want you hearing what I'm saying.

I'm just singing what I feel in my heart.

I would get in fights a lot. My voice was so heavy, kids would say you sound like a boy, so I would start beating them up.

I never sang for a Grammy, for money, for fame. That's my whole purpose for singing: for people, for the fans.

I was not fortunate enough to run into Obama. We were at the same church per se, but I would never be there when he was there.

My uncle was 16, in junior high, and he heard me singing and snatched me off the stage. I thought he was happy and was going to pat me on the head and say I was good. But he took me home and told my grandmother this youngin' was at school singing the blues.