Quotes from Missy Elliott

It could be hectic sometimes when you're being an artist and running a label at the same time. But there are times when you just have to say that this my time period to work on my stuff, and then you say this is the time to concentrate on my artists.

It feels different.... When hip-hop was beginning for me, people weren't making the kind of money that they make now. It was for the love of doing it and having fun with it.

Seeing my mother become very strong and very independent had a huge impact on me.

Things happen in your life, and then you can write something else instead of the same three topics - like, how many times can we write about the clubs?

When you think of Missy, you can't say, 'Missy reminded me of someone else.' There was no Missy comparison before.

I still represent for overweight adults and kids, but I am also now painfully and personally aware of the health issues.

I ain't no icon. It's people like Patti LaBelle, somebody like that's an icon. I'm just Missy. I'm just crazy, that's all.

You get people who rap about stuff that they don't do all day long. Half those guys, you hear them on the radio, and then you meet them, and you're like, 'Wow. They're so sweet.'

I got more shy as I got older and realized people could be laughing at me or judging me.

I think Aaliyah has influenced artists like a Ciara.

I used to put all my doll babies on my bed with their hands up and I would do full shows for them. I'd even do the screaming and clapping. I was bugging to be a singer.

If you believe a black cat is bad luck, people think you're crazy, but plenty of times, if I see a black cat down my street, I turn around and go the other way. Even if I'm late. I'll be late for the airport and be in a limo, and if I see a black cat, I'll be like, 'Sir, you have to turn around and go down the next street.'

I go out and date people, but I don't have that relationship, where you know, I'm like Jennifer Lopez, like I'm going to get married.

I'd stand on the side of the road when I was just a little girl singing on trash cans.

All of the trials and tribulations from personal to the artist. It shows that I'm human. People see the glamorous stuff, but they don't see the background.

I can't complain. I think when you get to a certain point, you shouldn't complain because there's so many people who would kill to get to this point.

When something is so hot, I don't want to just jump on it right away. I want to take it home and make sure I give it my best shot.

I didn't want to just be an artist and let someone else have all that control over me. I knew I would have to produce.

When I create something, it's got to be special, and it can't just be to throw something out there because I feel like I'm Missy.

Lil' Kim is my sister, known her for years, and I'll never turn my back on her, but there is enough room for everybody. I want to see everybody get it.

Music should be your escape.

I still go on YouTube and watch the old performances and the 'Soul Train' lines. I'm still amazed by how much soul and funk the music and dancers had.

Maybe I should find myself one of those sexy British soccer stars. David Beckham is hot. But I've got a hell of a lot of competition.

I never drank water. Always soda. I didn't use to like water, but I've had to train myself to drink it.