Wadada Leo Smith Quotes

An award, to me, means a bonus. It's not that an actor works for an award. I don't work for an award. But, when you get an award, it is encouraging and inspiring and reminds you that you need to do well.

Awards don't really mean much.

Honorary degrees and lifetime achievement awards are very encouraging. I know that it might sound strange that a writer who has published many books still needs encouragement, but this is true.

A guy once told me that I sound like I'm a little ahead of myself. I can't wait to thank him at the Oscars.

I only think that awards are important to everybody and if not that, a nomination serves as a recognition and a positive drive to do better work.

I don't think success is harmful, as so many people say. Rather, I believe it indispensable to talent, if for nothing else than to increase the talent.

There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. I don't care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause.

Applause is a receipt, not a bill.

I was so driven that sometimes you don't recognise all the good things that are happening to you.

Respect your success.

I have never thought of winning an Oscar. Rather, I never thought I would get the Padma Shri. I think God has been kind to me. I think getting Oscar award is not too far away.

My competition keeps me driven. My family and son and being home in Chicago keeps me humble, and my fans. They're the reason why I'm going hard and making sure everyone knows how to say my name.

Being named among the best at something is special and beautiful. But if there are no titles, nothing is won.

Awards are not something that I measure my work by. I've been so fortunate and I've gotten to do such terrific things that it seems petty to look back and say, 'Oh, I should have gotten that prize.' I don't look at it that way.

I've got my Grammys on top of my piano and I look at them when I play.

I am pleased that my work has been recognized, and I hope to be a role model.

I used to only worry about the #1's and all of the awards. But that was a long time ago.

I've gotten books published. I've met famous people that are very nice. I look back and I say, 'Wow. Thank you, God, for giving me this gift. And thank you for helping me to keep going.'

Over the years, I have worked very hard to achieve what I have so far. But I've not been alone in this journey. A lot of the credit for this goes to my fans - it's because of them that I'm here today.

I don't sing for awards, I sing for rewards!

I don't ever want to be like a peasant. I want to always be all right. But motivation is fans - not your kids, your mum, none of that. All of that matters, but number one is your fans.

I've never wanted fame. I've only ever wanted recognition.

I just felt proud of being able to tell my mom that 'Ye reached out. He saw that I built on my own with a small team.

It's reassuring knowing that people are supporting me and want to know more about me. It comes with being the national champion and making the Olympic team. I think that it's telling me I'm on the right path.

When I released 'Veteran' and the reception was good, it was the first time I ever worked really hard on something and had that hard work reciprocated back to me.