When I was 15, I begged my grandfather to give me this guitar he'd always had in the back of his closet. I promised him I'd learn to play it, but I never did. Then my grandfather died, and I felt so guilty. So I started playing.

I grew my dreadlocks 12 years ago because they give me the freedom to roll out of bed and not spend hours on my woolly, thick hair. I get tons of dropped jaws and compliments, so I reckon folks like them all right.

I have never had a man give me money. I've always been the provider. I have always been the one who went out and earned, and I've never felt unequal in that way.

I've never had a particularly sweet tooth. In fact, during the war, I used to swap my sweet ration coupons with my father - and he'd give me his clothing coupons in return. Looking good was more important to me than scoffing sweets.

One day I promised God that if he would give me my voice back I would never smoke again. I got three octaves back after quitting.

Give me a child and I'll shape him into anything.