Nina Simone

I'm a goddess. I'm a queen. I'm a woman.

I was told many times by my piano teacher, 'Nina, you may be a great pianist, but you'll never be a performer.'

I don't like to be put in a box. I don't like labels.

Jazz is not a dirty word. It's a beautiful word.

I'm a classical musician, but I sing the blues.

I think of myself as a black woman, first and foremost. And I'm proud of it.

I don't want to be a star. I want to be a legend.

I'm not interested in making money. I'm interested in making music.

I don't sing for money. I sing for my people.

I'm not a victim. I'm a survivor.

I'm a rebel. I'm a revolutionary.

I'm not a religious person. I'm a spiritual person.

I'm not a racist. I'm a realist.

I'm not a saint. I'm a sinner.

I'm not a good person. I'm not a bad person. I'm just me.

I'm not a diva. I'm a musician.

I'm not a jazz singer. I'm a classical singer who sings jazz.

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

I'm not a pop singer. I'm a protest singer.

I'm not a rock and roll singer. I'm an artist.