“Early in my career, people wanted to hear music about protest, about trying to change things.”

I think reading is important in any form. I think a person who’s trying to learn to like reading should start off reading about a topic they are interested in, or a person they are interested in.

Doing it your own way, not having to go exactly by the book to be successful.

I feel like I got a whole lot of living to do before I think about summing it up in a book.

I’m not actually from Compton – I’m from South Central Los Angeles, and my father still lives in the same house I grew up in, so I’m there all the time.

I’m always happy. I’ve just got a mean face.

I grew up in the seventies and disco was big. That influenced me the most.

I think the worst thing you can do about a situation is nothing.

Don’t get a movie confused with real life. I’m a well-rounded human being like everyone else.

You pay to have a good time, you don’t always want to pay to be schooled or sad or reminded how bad you got it. To me a movie theater ain’t always the place for that.

I always want to read the script before I totally commit.

Rap is just somebody getting something off his chest. That’s all it is.

If you born in the mud, you gonna be dirty, and people don’t understand that.

I identify with the bottom of the pyramid, because, outside of having money, I am at the bottom of the pyramid.

I believe every pencil has to be sharpened every now and then to stay sharp, or you dull out. So my records, I chose to speak on what black people do, what white people do, what women do, what men do.

A bird in the hand is worth more than a Bush.

To me, in a perfect world, you have the flavor and the magic of movies like 48 Hours, Lethal Weapon and Bad Boys.

I love any time you can enlighten people to mistakes, that’s how I started my career.

Playing with Queen was the biggest moment of my career. It was like living a childhood fantasy.

No offence to Nicki Minaj, but her career has essentially been a Lil’ Kim tribute

The most common misconception people have had in the past is about my own control and calculation of my career.

I take pride in working very hard. You need to understand that hard work doesn’t instantly pay off. My career grew gradually and taught me a lesson every step of the way.

I come from a long line of teachers. Not only did I not go into the family business; I had an aborted law career and I played in bands. ‘Disco Pigs’ was my first professional acting experience.

I am very career minded, and I think my personality is more suited to America. I am a working mum.

God is much more concerned about your character than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but not your career.