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.

I just sing the stuff that makes me smile, makes me feel like I didn`t sell myself out.

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 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.

I was a shy kid with a broom handle that I pretended was a microphone.

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.

You don`t have to be an angel, just be someone who can give.

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 never thought I would be singing for the world.

I was very shy. I`m still shy.

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

I`m very shy in a crowd.

I don`t feel as though I have to prove anything to anybody.

I love Canadians because I don`t see very much racism in Canada.

A diva is someone who is a perfectionist, who does her best in her craft.

I`m no different than you.

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.

You`ve got to know business before you go to show business.

I have to go 150 percent or nothing at all.

People with no humor, they`re outta my life.

I`m very spontaneous.

I`ll perform all the way to the grave.

I keep showing decade after decade that I am a real performer.

You`ve got to know business before you go to show business.

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

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

People with no humor, they`re outta my life.

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`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.

I was a shy kid with a broom handle that I pretended was a microphone.

I love Canadians because I don`t see very much racism in Canada.

I just sing the stuff that makes me smile, makes me feel like I didn`t sell myself out.

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.