Anita Baker

My father worked on assembly lines in Detroit while I was growing up. Every day, I watched him do what he needed to do to support the family. But he told me, 'Life is short. Do what you want to do.' ”

I need my career. That's what validates me. ”

I think there's no sacrifice too great for family, whether it's career, singing, whatever. ”

I'm used to getting up at 7, getting breakfast, getting the kids off to school, and doing the mommy thing and the wife thing and the daughter thing. ”

I would make far more money if every song were my own, but I don't write to fill up the album with my songs. ”

I don't think being black has held me back at all. Being black makes you strong. ”

If you have your own agenda and your own style and you don't easily conform to what the masses are doing, you're looked upon as being difficult. Whereas, I think of it as just being an individual. ”

I'm picking and choosing in terms of the stress factor. If it's not fun, I'm not going to do it. ”

I'd love to be the political voice of my generation, but that's not my gift. ”

We don't do drugs, drink or use profanity. Instead we instill morals and values in my boys by raising them with a love of God and a love and respect for themselves and all people. I believe they will have a chance. ”