Nina Simone

I'm not a folk singer. I'm a storyteller.

I'm not a R&B singer. I'm a classical musician.

I'm not a gospel singer. I'm a spiritual singer.

I'm not a soul sister. I'm a black woman.

I'm not a legend. I'm just Nina.

I'm not a jazz legend. I'm a classical legend.

I'm not a blues legend. I'm a soul legend.

I'll tell you what freedom is to me: no fear.

You've got to learn to leave the table when love's no longer being served.

The worst thing about that kind of prejudice is that while you feel hurt and angry and all the rest of it, it feeds you self-doubt. You start thinking, perhaps I am not good enough.

I'm not non-violent; I'm not peaceful. I'm violent in the sense that I will do anything to get my freedom.