“It starts with trusting yourself, even if people are telling you you’re too young to trust yourself.”

My parents are really conservative. My dad is Muslim, and my mom is the most conservative woman you’ve ever met. They’re very aristocratic in the most quaint suburban way.

When you’re, like, 190 pounds, dark-skinned, and a new artist that no one really cares about, people don’t really take the time to make you look beautiful.

I don’t have any control over what actually happens except that I have full control over my will for myself, my intention, and why I’m there. That’s all that matters.

Kicked myself out the algorithm.

I did some work on Beyonce and Nick Minaj’s ‘Feeling Myself.’

My music is touching people in whatever spaces they need to be touched in.

In the real world, I kind of, like, thrived a little bit. The things that were awkward about me at school, like being hyper passionate, I realized, ‘Oh I’m my own person, and I have my own idiosyncrasies and nuances that I don’t mind.’

In one way, I want to heal people.

I don’t feel ashamed to be loud, which is an argument I’ve had with lots of men, who thought I was too sassy and unladylike.

Just tryna eat pasta and mind my business.

Only break the rules baby or whatever Ja said.

I do a lot of strange things.

Especially when I’m nervous, my mind is running a mile a minute. My ADHD speaks for me before I can speak for me.

Listening to Alabama Shakes made me less self-conscious about my voice.

My mom was an executive at AT&T, a global account lady. I have no idea what she did. I just know she was never home and speaks several languages.

I hate being outside more than I can explain. I really have debilitating anxiety.

What’s wrong with being number 2?

You want your sunshine? Battle the storm ahead.

You will get what you want but you must want it and not just wish it.

You must always be prepared to place a bet on yourself, on your future, by heading in a direction that others seem to fear.

We must believe in dawns, even when we don’t see the sun.

I found the purpose of my existence, and also the purpose of my circumstance. There’s a purpose for why you’re in the fire.

The intent and not the deed Is in our power; and, therefore, who dares greatly Does greatly.

Let things break you wide open, that’s where the golden light is.