Top quotes by Estelle

I got into hip hop from my uncle; he was always playing us Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane. He was a bad boy, and my mum was not really happy that I was hanging out with him. Votes: 22

My songs are always about overcoming things, whether it's breaking up with a guy or just trying to be happy. They're always about being better. Votes: 21

I always say, 'There's a difference between cooked food and McDonald's.' Your mom's homemade dinner - you enjoy this more than you enjoy the fast food that comes along and goes, and I strive to make homemade dinner every time I put out an album. Votes: 20

I remember being, like, the age of 7 and just always being in control of something or someone, a baby somewhere. I had lots of cousins and brothers, and we were all taught that's how you are, you know. Things don't just run themselves; you have to make them run. Votes: 14

The reality show 'America's Next Top Model' is my girlie pleasure. Votes: 13

For four years, my mum allowed only church music in the house. Votes: 13

Parents, raise your kids. Young men and women, raise your kids. Votes: 12

I've always dug Audrey Hepburn. I think she's one of the classic beauties. Votes: 11

You have to have courage to look back and be honest about your own drama. Votes: 9

People want to say something negative before they say something good. Votes: 9

If you cannot smile when you listen to music, then do not listen to it! Votes: 9

The people at my label are always endorsing what I say. They say, 'You see the truth, so speak it.' They believe in me. They respect my opinion. At least I have an opinion, and I'm not trying to play it safe. I don't go around saying, 'I think everyone is great, and the world is fantastic.' Everyone has opinions. They just don't say it. Votes: 8

This fame is a juggernaut: It slaps you in the face, and you don't know what you're doing. You don't know who has your back, who is your support system. Votes: 8

My favorite film involving scarves was little Edie in 'Grey Gardens.' I often wear scarves like that, under hats. Votes: 8

I grew up in a house full of music. Everything from reggae and afro-beat to Zook and pop. Votes: 8

I can't stand quitters. My mother is a very strong, determined woman. I was peeling onions when I was seven, but I walked off when my eyes began to sting. She said to me, 'You start something and you finish it', and that stuck with me. I'm persistent. Votes: 7

I learned that working out gives me a space to get clear. It's not just about the body. It gives me space to process things and get clear in my mind about decisions and things I want to do. Votes: 7

In order for me to write, I have to experience life. I write the songs based on real life, and I perform them from a very real place. Votes: 7

I've fully embraced who I am. I stopped fighting with people and just come to realize, 'This is me. This is all of me.' Votes: 7

Americans have their issues with skin colour, even within the black community, with light and dark skin; it's crazy - but no one's oblivious to it. Votes: 6

You can be sexy, but respect yourself and make sure you get that respect. Votes: 6

My mom, for all intents and purposes, was a single parent. Votes: 6

I try not to judge because I've been judged a heck of a lot, and it don't feel nice. Votes: 6

BMG has been an awesome partner throughout my career, and with New London, we plan to continue bridging the gap between soul, pop, London, and New York - uniting them through music. Votes: 4

I'm used to traveling. I'm used to being in different areas of the world. Home is where my suitcase lands. Votes: 4

I think every artist strives for a record that crosses all energy, lines, boundaries or languages or barriers. Votes: 3

I'm so sick of hearing that U.K. hip hop doesn't get credit and success when I'm working to get it - for me and for others, too. Votes: 2

With the first album, I wanted to do so many different things, and I was fighting with myself to try and see if I was worthy enough to do it. Votes: 2

I never feel that far away from the tabloids. Votes: 2

American food is not what I'm used to - everything is like three portions. Votes: 1

People are getting ready for music that makes them feel happy again rather than being depressed at the way the world is going right now. Votes: 0

Me being a black girl in London, whose mom is first-generation African and whose dad is West Indian, gives me a different view. I'm coming at soul from my own place. Votes: 0

We get older, and we forget that we have to carve a little time out to feel good in your body, in your head, and in your spirit. Votes: 0

You can't please everybody. I give up. I'm not trying to. I don't care. Leave me alone with that. Votes: 0

Kanye West is my older brother, an inspiring guy and someone who keeps pushing my level up further and further. Votes: 0

My mind is always going. Votes: 0

Most of my thinking is done at night. Votes: 0

I couldn't just hand in any old rubbish - I can't go on tour and sing something for three years if I don't believe in it. Votes: 0

I'm the female Jay-Z. I never compared myself to other women artists. I compared myself with the best, and the best is Jay-Z. Votes: 0

Garage music came up when people weren't paying attention. Votes: 0

I believe in illusion - I don't believe in magic. Votes: 0

I feel like I'm beautiful, and every woman should feel like that. Votes: 0

I think the one group I am trying to appeal to is the world. That would be big enough. Votes: 0

I'd really started hating music. I'd started hating all the songs, hating being in the industry, hating doing the shows. So I had to learn to love music again if I wanted to continue doing this. Votes: 0

When I was growing up, hip-hop was still a pretty specialised thing. Votes: 0

I'm signed to a U.S. label, and I didn't enjoy the 3 A.M. phone calls. I'm not a great sleeper, so I didn't enjoy being woken up. Votes: 0

Conservatives, they're like the Republicans to me. They don't do much. They have this whole hierarchy and boys' club thing going on. That doesn't help the regular person. Votes: 0

The staff, stage managers, ushers all behaved as if they respected the actors. Votes: 0

My style is Edie Sedgwick meets Grace Jones, or Audrey Hepburn meets Salt 'n' Pepa. Strong and feisty but still classic. Votes: 0

I love rom-coms. Any will do. Films such as 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' or 'Funny Face' with Audrey Hepburn. Votes: 0

There is not enough faith in black music at a high level. Votes: 0

I would say my greatest musical influences have been Ella Fitzgerald and Mary J. Blige. Votes: 0

I come from a family of well-endowed booty women. Votes: 0

No one goes straight to happiness after a breakup. Votes: 0

John Legend is a cool guy. He likes to chill, is easy to talk to and hang out with. He's also inspiring on a musical level. Votes: 0

If there is enough space on radio for Busted and McFly, who are basically the same band, or for 50,000 versions of Stereophonics and Coldplay, there must be enough room for all of us. Votes: 0

With my music, I don't have to stay in one lane. One day I'm in Motown, and the next day I'm in reggae. Votes: 0

Luke James has this mystique about him that's not something you can explain; you can only experience it. He's got a whole D'Angelo feel to him as well. Votes: 0

'Something Good' is a feel-good song. A reminder that you're dope and have something wonderful to offer life and yourself and the world. Votes: 0

I am a black British female artist, so I must be like Ms Dynamite, I must be like Shystie, I must be like Jamelia, but we're all different. Votes: 0

I got to the point where I was fed up with so many people telling me how and who I was supposed to be. Votes: 0

I have to live authentically at all times. And that's part of what makes me an artist. I'm not scared to do that. Votes: 0

I can sit in my room and write a song that I think might be a hit. I can sort of make myself do that, and then I'll play it to a friend, and they'll say, 'Oh, that's nice.' But when something happens to me, and I sit down and write a song to get rid of my emotions, they'll turn around and say, 'Wow, that's great.' Votes: 0

I'm never scared to ask a question or state the obvious, y'know. Votes: 0

I will test a guy to within an inch of his sanity because I've been through too much drama. He has to be 100%. Votes: 0

I hate that if you do one style of music or become really well known for that one song, that everything that comes after has to fit that mold. Votes: 0

A lot of my girlfriends are always telling me they're really strong independent women, but they've got their boy on the side, and they only go over when he calls. Votes: 0

Lesson one, introduce yourself to everyone when you walk into a room. Don't act like you're too bougie to say, 'Hello.' Votes: 0

Something Good' is a feel-good song. A reminder that you're dope and have something wonderful to offer life and yourself and the world. Votes: 0

Labrinth is a super talented singer, producer, songwriter from London. Votes: 0

Some days I might be wearing a little dress, and some days I might be wearing something with wings on it and be confusing. Votes: 0

I just have a way about me where people know that they don't tell me what to do, they kind of just wait for me to do it. Votes: 0

Walking round the Champs-Elysees late at night is the greatest time. Votes: 0

People like the shows I do. I want to be real, to have fun, even when I dance on stage... it's a buzz. Votes: 0

When there is hope, there is life. Votes: 0

I went to New York and Miami and hung out by the beach, and I love the American boys, so I wrote a song about it. Votes: 0

I started writing an album on flights to Africa and Brazil, but it was crazy because I left the notebook on the plane. It had seven or eight songs in it. After that, I'm not writing any more songs on notebooks - and I keep my Blackberry close! Votes: 0

I like time off because I also have a life outside of theater. Votes: 0

In theater, the wellspring of the character comes from the doing of it, like a trial by fire, but in front of an audience. Votes: 0

People who call themselves actors and can't ever get work; they do need to get another profession. Votes: 0

Don't forget the prices are so high in theater; it isn't really where a young person can go on a date and buy two tickets and take someone out anymore. Votes: 0

I mean, there are times when you aren't working, but still believe that work will come. Votes: 0

We all need to go to good theater; that is what I believe will save it. Votes: 0

I know people like spectacle, but I'm interested in moving people. Votes: 0

Acting is very start and stop. Votes: 0

I have never been interested in specific roles. Votes: 0

I find that there are few reviews that extol women as wonderful artists. Votes: 0

The thing that makes me feel powerful is when I make a decision about something and I make it happen. Votes: 0