I have absorbed my life now. I am ready for my music to unfold. I know time flies, but before the end of this year, the album will be out. Even if it kills me.

When a child is born into this world it has no concept of the tone the skin is living in.

My kids love Ibiza and we feel committed to it because we keep coming back to the same area. People recognise us in shops now and we have a social life here. We cook at home and have friends around.

I've always looked to other women for inspiration and kicks. When a woman stands up and does her thing, it never ceases to excite and inspire me.

Who needs a handbag? I put my money in my bra.

When I found out I was pregnant, my mother said, 'Dont separate your life, the life that youre going to make with this child, from the things that you are and what you want to do.'

There's been a lot of coming home in the early mornings after funny nights out, having bizarre sandwiches in bed.

I had this weird, nomadic little tent with a rug over it, like a booth where I'd sing the vocals.

Being a grandmother is one of the least strange things in my life. It makes more sense than a lot of things... like photo shoots!

To save my child, I'd rather go hungry. I got all of Ethiopia inside of me.

There was no time to lose, no time to waste in rest or play. The life of the earth comes up with a rush in the springtime.

The whites come to applaud a Negro performer just like the colored do. When you've got the respect of white and colored, you can ease a lot of things.

So when I got to 50 I just thought, Hold on: I'm thin. I've got my hair. I'm well off. I survived, you know

I hate to make the comparison here, but think of me as one of those expensive boutiques. If you have to ask about the cost, you probably can’t afford me.

Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it, a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.

Behind a veil, unseen yet present, I was the forceful soul that moved this mighty body.

The growth of love is not a straight line, but a series of hills and valleys.

Any act of injury done from self-interest, whether amounting to killing or not, is doubtless himsa.

The name Roosevelt has this legendary force in our country at this time.

I believe in not quite knowing. A writer needs to be doubtful, questioning. I write out of curiosity and bewilderment.