Growing up, there was always music around, whether across the street, or on the next-door neighbor's stereo. So, as in life, music is always around, and it helps to heighten any emotion. Music is amazing.

I want to be remembered as a guy who inspired, encouraged and made people laugh.

My biggest success is getting over the things that have tried to destroy and take me out of this life. Those are my biggest successes. It has nothing to do with work.

What rings true is that everything we grow through in life will work out for our good.

My mother was truly my saving grace, because she would take me to church with her. I would see my mother smiling in the choir, and I wanted to know this God that made her so happy. If I had not had that faith in my life, I don't know where I would be right now.

'Madea' is a Southern term. It's short for 'mother dear.' So there are a lot of Madeas out there.

The most important thing that I learned in growing up is that forgiveness is something that, when you do it, you free yourself to move on.