Andra Day

“Foreknowledge is a wonderful thing.”

“I really like jazz and soul, but I also love so many other types of music, and I didn't want to be afraid to blend and experiment.”

“As my face got cleaner, my relationships got cleaner.”

“Whichever chord progressions move me, whether it's rock, jazz, doo-wop or soul, I'm going to put it together and not be worried about whether people can put it in a lane or not.”

“I established early what I was and wasn't willing to accept. People tried to say what I had to do, whether it be pop or R&B, to be successful. Even when I was in the girl group, they would try to make our voices sound very radio-friendly and fit that mold. But even before I got signed, I knew who I was and who I wanted to be.”

“I knew that I could sing when I was young. I would listen to a lot of jazz; I'm a big jazz fan. When I first got to high school and studied musical theater, I could sing. But I added certain things to my voice, and I realized after graduating high school that this is the kind of voice I had. It's not very nimble, but it's heavy.”

“I'm a hip-hop fan, and I'm a Southern Cali girl.”

“I like things that are over the top and subtle at the same time.”

“I'm a huge Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu fan, so working with those two in any capacity would be a dream.”

“My father loved music. He loved Motown and R&B, and my mother loved Journey and Fleetwood Mac, so they were always listening to it and playing it.”

“I'm inherently a chameleon... to not evolve is to not live.”

“I consider each performance to be an intimate conversation between me and the audience members.”

“I want people to... not be afraid of their truth.”

“The reach of Coke and McDonald's is undeniable, and I'm thrilled these iconic brands are joining forces to inspire local communities through messages of peace and motivation in unique ways. It's an added bonus that they are using the lyrics to 'Rise Up' as a part of those messages.”

“I was a dancer for about 20 years. It didn't really help me transition into music.”

“I love different eclectic bands. I love Phoenix and Kimber.”

“Performing at the TMCF Awards Gala is so exciting.”

“Soul music is true to its name. It's music that connects to your soul, your spirit. When music resonates with people's spirit like that, when people can emotionally connect with something or it helps to heal them, transform them, that never goes out of style. People will always need something to relate to.”

“'Rise Up' is definitely my baby. I think it was a gift because, you know, it's like God just spoke to me and wrote that song. It's very powerful.”

“My faith was eventually what helped me face myself, tell the truth about everything I had done, face criticism, cope with guilt, pain, and grow from all of it.”