I look around at all the girl singers, and I think they're all my children... and they're all going to do this... And, yes, maybe I inspired them because I did get through a lot, and I did have the same problems that they're going to have. You do have to give up a lot for it.

You can see that women enjoy music because they like dancing and singing and we have some very nice singers, like Cecile Kayirebwa and Florida Uwera and others.

I am inspired by a lot of women who have come before me. I am inspired by people who had been told they couldn’t do something but pushed through and overcame it.

It’s been a tremendous honour to work with such strong young women because they continue to teach and push me in various ways.

I’ve a kinship with women…That’s why I’ve always put women in strong positions in music.

A lot of my aunties sang. Our singing voices come from my dear grandma, who was a powerful music hall singer. I was about six when I fell in love with singing, and eight when I won a singing competition for up to 16-year-olds. I just knew that singing was for me and some of my favourite singers are Elaine Paige, Barbra Streisand, Barbara Dickson and Whitney Houston.

But it is particularly encouraging to perform a song with a touch that can be equated to such great artists considering the efforts and investments that artists like Rihanna and Drake put into their work.

Truly the world should belong to singers and dancers.

You've got the two titans. Streisand. Oprah. Both strong black women.

Sometimes it makes your hips move. Sometimes it makes you rock your head. Sometimes it helps you just kick back and relax and soak it in. But no matter what form it comes in, you know this music always comes straight from the heart. You know you’re listening to someone who’s found her own unique voice, and isn’t afraid to show it to the world. And these women are perfect examples of just that.

I like Lenny Kravitz, I like Pink, and for forever and ever I've thought that Whitney Houston has an amazing voice. I really love great voices.

Well, it was a church person in the early days, Mahalia Jackson. And Rosetta Tharpe. These spiritual, very strong voices. I only knew that they were figures in the black race, recognizable and respected. But I must admit, I've always covered the songs of males. I haven't followed up on women or listened to that much women's music.

I have no problem with them imitating [me]. It's a compliment. Everybody has to start out looking up to someone. For me it was James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Wilson, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly.

I hear the singing of the lives of women. The clear mystery, the offering, and the pride.