Queer culture was introduced to me at a very early age. It was introduced to me with a semi-positive facet because no one in my family is remotely homophobic or closed-minded.

Growing up, I loved Boy George, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Queen, Freddie Mercury, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross.

I literally have my hand in every aspect of the art world that you could imagine. That's what I've always done.

I'm undereducated in politics, and I don't like to involve myself in them because they have dark spaces that I do not want to touch.

I model a lot and I'm very fortunate and blessed to be able to do as many partnerships I do for an underground musician such as myself.

Everything really came together on '1992.' That isn't to dismiss my earlier works - they were great - but when I focused myself on hip-hop everything just clicked.

I'm 100 percent in control of my artistry, music, and finances.

I'm a Puerto Rican woman whose family has roots in Regla de Ocha, also known as Santeria.

My ancestors had to keep their customs secret for fear of death or persecution, so it's common to be secretive and discreet about Regla de Ocha. But it's my family's spirituality, so I don't want to keep it secret.

Black people created rock music, it's a fact. Black people created bluegrass and rock and roll way before Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

Everybody wants to act like I ain't a big deal when I am. I'm one of the most successful, relevant and influential rappers of my generation.

People look down on teen moms and young mothers when they are the most gracious and significant women on this Earth. They sacrifice their freedom and their lives to give life.

Black people created punk - the band Death was way before The Ramones. Same with Bad Brains. If you think about it, the wool has been pulled over our eyes.

I think that brown people are attracted to rock music because it speaks on the spectrum of pain that brown people are predisposed to.

My definition of God is the highest supreme feeling of beauty and light and happiness.

I like to honor my West African and Taino ancestry, I consider it sacred and divine.

I don't have a make-up artist and I don't need a stylist.

I truly have a lot of faith in the universe even when I'm down, I'm always good.

Music is a beauty pageant. When I go put myself out there, I'm going to compete.

It took me a long time to get to where I am, but I am here and it is everywhere I want to be. A place where both my artistic merit and hard work meet. A day where I can say, 'Yeah, I'm a musician. A good one.'

I was just a queer theater kid from New York City.

Music has empowered me through poverty, abuse, and mental-health issues.

Men should understand that women are creatures of nature, and that they are to be respected as nature, and that they are interchangeable and complex like nature.

I try not to be overly nostalgic, and I don't use nostalgia to be kitschy.