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I love Barbra Streisand and Sade who've both had careers in soul and I want my music to have that timeless quality that isn't necessarily now.

There is a reason that both have had the longevity in their careers that they have had. They have each done very different things throughout their careers and lived really interesting lives. There is a reason why they are up there still. After all, there is only one Barbra Streisand and one Liza Minnelli.

There was a time in American history when almost every white person knew who Aretha Franklin was.

No two people on earth are alike, and it's got to be that way in music or it isn't music.

I've actually been compared to every female singer going from Britney, Christina, Mariah, Duffy, Amy Winehouse, everyone. And they are so different, so I think it's cool that people see me as so many different artistes but I think I'm a little different, yeah.

Barbra Streisand has accomplished so much, and Dustin Hoffman as well. They are down to earth and approachable. I admire that.

To sing along with Stevie Wonder, you had to make your voice do things it was not accustomed to doing.

I've been getting into different gospel artists; Aretha Franklin is someone I've been listening to a lot of.

Growing up, my ideals were Barbra Streisand, Cher, and my mom.

I think comparisons are very on the surface. If I sing, like, 'Park Bench People,' and there's kind of a social undertone, people will say I sound like Gil Scott-Heron. But for me, the more insightful comparison would be a Roberta Flack or Nina Simone - people who really mix different genres of music.