"I never thought I would be singing for the world."

"All I can tell you really is if you get to the point where someone is telling you that you are not great or not good enough, just follow your heart and don't let anybody crush your dream."

"You've got to know business before you go to show business."

"People with no humor, they're outta my life."

"Women are dominating the charts, and women are doing it for themselves. We're kicking butt and taking no prisoners."

"I'll perform all the way to the grave."

"I'm 60, and I did 60-year-old women songs. I'm not trying to be the Hip-Hop Queen, although I am the original Hip Hop Queen."

"So if diva means giving your best, then yes, I guess I am a diva."

"I can't do some of the songs that younger girls like Mary J. Blige and Beyonce are doing. They have their own place and I have my own place."

"When I look into the crowd, I see young and old, black and white - it's amazing that I'm able to connect with so many different kinds of people."

"I've had 60 years of ups and downs, and all of the downs that I've had, I'm happy that I've had them because it's taught me to appreciate all the ups."

"I just sing the stuff that makes me smile, makes me feel like I didn't sell myself out."

"So if anybody wants to get me something, get me 60 crabs - one for each year. I don't want no diamonds, I don't want no shoes, I don't want no party. I want some crabs."

"I have to go 150 percent or nothing at all."

"I love Canadians because I don't see very much racism in Canada."