LOS ANGELES: Jennifer Lopez's career will not change because she is married and has children.

Jennifer Lopez doesn't feel having children should stop her from having a music career.

The 'Jenny from the Block' singer, who had twins Max and Emme in February 2008, says she still has the desire to be a success but doesn't feel the need to compete with younger stars.

She said: "This is what I do - what, because I have kids and a husband now I'm not supposed to be me?

"I'm a more heightened me if anything. Hyper J. Lo. Everything I wanted before, I want twice as much now.

"And that doesn't mean material things; it means to explore more, to think more. Being an artist doesn't start because you're 21, and it doesn't end because you're 51. You are who you are until the day you die."

Jennifer recently revealed how she felt she had "graduated" as a singer when she performed at husband Marc Anthony's 40th birthday party.

She said: "I sang a song for Marc's birthday, for his 40th birthday, called 'My Man,' which is an old Barbra Streisand song from 'Funny Girl'. When I sang it, you know, she's so my idol. I was like, 'I cannot believe I am trying to sing a Barbra Streisand song, this is insane! What are you thinking?!' But I sang and it was almost like I had graduated, you know what I mean? But I needed to get to that point."