Quotes from Tink

I can write a love song or a ballad, or when I read something and it pisses me off, I know how to go in.

I have to break down the barriers as a female. I have to work 30 times harder just for respect.

As an artist, I want it to be so simple that anyone can understand it. No matter what age you are, you're going to feel it because it's real. I don't like to sugar coat. There's not too many artists that can tell stories and be vulnerable on the mic.

I would rather impress you with my storytelling than with the size of my waist and my hips.

Because I was independent for such a long time, and I was always just feeding my fans - every month, I'd be giving them something new. So I had to adjust to the process of making a record. And after signing with a label, there are just certain things you can't do anymore. It was frustrating at first, but as the months went by, I got used to it.

Guys hurt us first! There's always more to the story. We don't have that on the radio. You can't turn on the radio and hear what's really going on. You're going to hear the perspective from a guy.

When you think Tink, you should just think of me as that around-the-way girl - relatable and honest. Even in my lifestyle, my entire aura is real. I don't sugarcoat anything, whether I'm on stage or home in Chicago or just behind the scenes just chilling. I'm the same person you see on stage, always.

It's easy for guys to listen to another guy for support, but if it's a female, they seem to shy away from it, like they don't want to be a sucker, you know what I'm saying? So we kind of got to go harder.

I'm not the ideal pop star, not what you see on TV. I look like I could be your best friend.

I have some talent. So, I'm going to show it off. No matter what, I'm gonna keep going.

To stand out, I just use my talents. I rap, and I sing as well. With that being said, people kind of know me for bringing that emotion in music.

I don't like to sugarcoat. I don't like to say things without feeling it. I like to get to the point and say exactly what I'm talking about.

Chicago's known for the drill. Keefs, Lil Durks, and whatnot. My music, on the other hand, it has a message to it. I think that's what sets me apart. I think it gets deeper than saying anything on a trap beat. I'm putting stories together, and people are relating to what I am saying.

I'm not going to be the artist that talks about a million dollar whip and 'I just bought some red bottoms.' That's cool, but that's not all there is to it. I'd rather talk about something everyone can relate to and feel.

I've never worked hands-on with a producer. I've been on my own writing, just taking beats and doing what I have to do. I've been on my own. To have Timbaland invite me in and say that 'I want to work with you' is amazing. He's a legend.

In music today, people are against females. We don't have that empowerment anymore. We don't have that voice.

I think why people are drawn to me is because I'm very relatable. I don't filter.

Look. You all do things that are beautiful and magical and... and important. But me... there's gotta be more to my life than just pots and kettles. All I'm asking you is that you give me a chance.

I put a lot of work into my mixtapes, and I want everybody to understand I am doing this genuinely. I don't even want to be paid for this; I just want you all to hear my music and appreciate it. I think it brings me closer to my fans because they know I'm doing this for them and not just to get the bucks.

Coming up as a female rapper - well, a female artist in general - everything is just so black and white.

As a female, we always have to be labeled this new female rapper. It's never like, 'I heard this rapper Tink.' It's always, 'I heard a female rapper.'

There's a broad range of male rappers, so if they're going out on a limb and they sound different, it's okay, because we have 20 other rappers doing what the radio wants... as far as females, there aren't as many, so if you want to compete, you have to sound just like this, because that's the only thing hot right now.

It's so irritating, because male rappers don't have to have a look. A guy can look like a bum on the street, but as a male, people will accept him because he's a rapper. But females, they expect you to have a big booty. They expect you to walk in six-inch heels.

The more I got into my artistry, I got a bigger responsibility: the kids in Chicago, they look up to the rappers. We influence them.