You've got to maintain your level of self-esteem through everything. You are who you are, and nobody will ever be able to take that from you if you don't let them

God had to create disco music so I could be born and be successful.

I don't care if I'm beautiful; I don't care what I am on the outside. It isn't about the outside.

Nobody wants you to stop, obviously because you're a moneymaking machine. But you have to make the decision and you have to move forward. So I took time off to have babies and do all that.

Heaven knows, it's not the way it could be.

I need you by me, beside me, to guide me, to hold me, to scold me, cause when I'm bad, I'm so, so bad.

Let's say that, in reality, I'm basically very shy when it comes to men.

I am sensual and very physical. I'm very erotic. But my sexuality exists on a sort of a fantasy level.

If you've never been to one of my concerts. I want you to know that it is OK to scream and yell.

My life was changed in one breath from God.

She works hard for the money so you better treat her right.

When the fire is lighted within your soul, can't help it, but to burn.

To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently abeast!

The desire of a man for a woman is not directed at her because she is a human being but because she is a woman. That she is a human being is of no concern to him.

I love you; I love you and I don’t care that you’re my sister; don’t be with him, don’t want him, don’t go with him. Be with me. Want me. Stay with me. I don’t know how to be without you.

I tried to pretend that I was sitting in the stands with a buddy watching the game - poking him in the ribs when something exciting happened.

It is hideous and coarse to assume that we can do something for others-and it is vile not to endeavor to do it.

It is extremely hurtful when women tell me I don't understand or know how they feel.

I'm retiring the Mos Def name after 2011. I'm actually doing it.

I prefer smaller movies because they tend to be more about character than about story.

The reader wants to see something happen between pages one and four hundred, and nothing happens if the characters don't change.