I'm just human, I have faults like anyone

The allusion was that I was actually naked. I loved that. It always, kind of shocked people enough that they became mine immediately.

It's a good time for black people to be alive.

I tell you what freedom is to me: no fear.

I only knew classical music, which to me was the only true music. The only way I could survive at the bar was to mix the classical music with popular songs, and that meant I had to sing. What happened was that I discovered I had a voice plus the talent to mix classical music together with more popular songs, which at the time I detested.

Since I was three I've been playing the piano. I've been onstage. My mother is an Evangelist and I used to play the piano at her revival meetings.

I don't like to go to strange places. I was in Italy for about five hours on my way to Africa.