Nina Simone

I'll tell you what freedom is to me: no fear. I mean, really, no fear!

I demand to be taken seriously.

An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times.

I play the piano, but I'm not a pianist. I'm a singer, but I'm not a singer. I'm a composer, but I'm not a composer. I'm a whatever I am.

I don't think there's any such thing as an artist that isn't political.

I'm not a jazz singer. I'm a folk singer.

I was never a jazz musician. I was a classical musician who happened to play jazz.

I don't like labels. I don't like categories.

I don't care about being famous. I just want to be good.

I am a composer. I write songs. I write music.

I am a Black woman. I am an artist. I am a musician.

I don't think I'm a good person. I think I'm a very difficult person.

I believe in God. I believe in the devil. I believe in everything.

I'm not a feminist. I'm a woman.

I've always been an outsider.

I don't like to be told what to do.

I'm not a happy person. I'm a tortured person.

I've always been a rebel.

I don't believe in institutions. I believe in individuals.

I'm not a politician. I'm an artist.