I can't help what I sound like. What I sound like is what i am. You know? I cannot be anything other that what I am.

Music is nothing separate from me. It is me... You'd have to remove the music surgically.

I was born with music inside me. That's the only explanation I know of

I really feel that if you're gonna be good, you gotta practice... Practice whatever the hell you do.

You never can overwhelm an instrument. You will never get out all that's in an instrument. An instrument will bring you to your limits.

I don't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't been able to hear.

I'd like to think that when I sing a song, I can let you know all about the heartbreak, struggle, lies and kicks in the ass I've gotten over the years for being black and everything else, without actually saying a word about it.