Quotes from Estelle

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

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

Collaboration is the way to go. It's very timely and fun to do.

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

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

I wear and have worn scarves my entire life while traveling, working out, and now sometimes while performing, and not just on my head - I wear them around my neck and on my bag.

I always want to remain inspired.

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.

I believe in illusion - I don't believe in magic.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

The most personal track would have to be 'Love The Way We Used To.' It's one of the songs that I listen to outside of all the records that I wrote.

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.

I've always been a fan of Nigerian artist D'banj. He's now signed to Kanye West's Good Music label.

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

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.

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

I never do a show where the people just sit there and look at me. They always sing along. It's going to be a fun time.

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

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.

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

You know, sometimes you fall in love and you get treated badly, sometimes you get treated well.