They don’t make them like Chaka Khan any more. A beacon of soul and warmth, Khan's voice has soared across disco, funk, R&B, and rock ’n’ roll for over five decades now, with titanium-plated hits such as ‘I’m Every Woman’, ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and ‘I Feel for You’ powered by her exuberant mezzo-soprano range. With 70 million records sold, and a scroll-like list of collaborators that features everyone from Prince to Ariana Grande, Khan has to answer to nobody, and she knows it. You’d be hard-pressed to find another artist who is as hilariously blithe when talking about their work. “It’s not rocket science, doing music,” she says, calling in from LA in late March. “If you trust your heart and trust yourself, then it’s very natural. It’s like taking a shit or piss or something.”
After 50 years in the industry, Khan would be entitled to put her feet up and bask in the glow of her triumphs. Instead, she is busier than ever, working on music with collaborators old and new, relaunching her gourmet chocolate line (the incredibly named Chakalates), and curating the London Southbank Centre’s Meltdown festival this June. The lineup spans veteran names, such as UK soul legend Mica Paris and mellow trip-hop outfit Morcheeba, and a raft of next gen talent: Khan is inviting Black female and non-binary Londoners to join the festival’s choir as part of her tenure. “I said to them, ‘I think we should make this whole Meltdown focus on young people, because that’s our future,’” she says. “That’s what we’re doing.”
You used to live in London. What do you look forward to when you visit?
The people I know. And I love to eat Indian food when I’m there. You have the best Indian food and very good Chinese food, too. It’s not Americanised at all; it’s maintained its integrity.
Have you ever been to Brick Lane for a curry?
Maybe, I don’t recall. I’ve been going to London for 30 years. I’ve done a lot.
You’ve collaborated with musicians from Stevie Wonder and Prince to Miles Davis. What is the key to making magic with other artists?
It’s not something you can say, it’s something you feel.
In 1998, you made an album with Prince, Come 2 My House, which endures as a fan favourite. How did that come about?
Working with Prince was like working with myself. We were so like-minded, we did the whole CD in two weeks.
Did you record at Paisley Park?
Yes, it was fabulous. I had a wonderful time.
You grew up in Chicago. What are your formative musical memories from that time?
I worked a lot of clubs there. With [Khan’s first band] Rufus, I was too young to be in any club at all.
Did you have a fake ID?
No, they didn’t even ask for an ID. In fact, Rufus is getting back together and we’re going to do some dates. We tried to do it about 20 years ago. It wasn’t the right time for us, emotionally. Now we are calmer, more loving, older, and more knowledgeable. I think it’s going to be really fun.
You’re best known as a solo artist, but did it feel good to be in a band?
Yes, it did. And I was very sad when they changed the name to Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan. That was the beginning of the end for us, when the record company insisted upon doing that.
Did that make it a strange dynamic?
Yeah. I’m a free agent today. I’m not signed with any label and I never will be again.
I know that you’ve had your share of record labels…
Yeah… you know all the answers to these questions you’re asking me! You’re answering them when you ask. It’s interesting.
Well, you do have an amazing life story. And artists these days are increasingly aware of the way the industry works, especially with Taylor Swift re-recording her music and getting control of her masters.
Taylor Swift is very smart. People could learn a lot from her, and they should. It’s very important that you own everything you do. It took me years to get there, but I’m there.
Your breakout hit with Rufus was ‘Tell Me Something Good’. You’re on fire in that song. How does it feel to perform it?
I’m sick and tired of it right now. I haven’t sung it in a long time. I’m sick and tired of most of my songs. I’m always pulling songs from somewhere and putting them in my set.
You’ve always been exuberant on stage – your outfits and movement in the 1970s were wild. How did you hone your performance style?
I wanted to become natural. I wanted to be comfortable. I wanted to be able to do what I wanted to do on stage. And so when I was younger, I went for comfort mostly because you sweat a lot. Up there, it’s hard work. So I try, and I still strive, to dress in a way that’s comfortable.
Were there any performers that inspired your style?
Not that I can recall. That’s all me.
‘I’m Every Woman’ became an anthem for the women’s movement and the gay community. How has it felt seeing different groups embrace the song?
Very good. And I knew when I heard the song that I had to sing it.
Because of its sound, or its message?
The message. That’s what musicians, artists, painters, singers and dancers are: we’re messengers. We have a message to give.
You’re longtime friends with Joni Mitchell. What first stood out to you about her music?
The lyrics and her message in what she’s saying. They hit my heart, you know? She sang to my heart, and that’s a hard thing to do for me.
Do you have a favourite of her songs? I always return to ‘Amelia’ from Hejira.
Hejira is one of my favourite albums. Do you know what ‘hejira’ means?
I don’t!
It means walking away from something crazy that’s going on, with yourself intact.
Whoa, I love that. You’ve said that the 1980s was a special time for you. What made it memorable?
I was free. I was in New York City. I was doing good things.
Did you ever go to Studio 54?
Yes, I did once. It did impress me. But I’m not a big party girl like that. I’m more private. With my son, we go to someone’s house.
Were you a fan of disco?
Well, I love Grace Jones. And my sister Taka Boom does good music. I’ve collaborated on some of her stuff.
New generations discover your songs all the time. A couple of years ago, you were on RuPaul’s Drag Race and the queens performed your song, ‘This Is My Night’. How was that experience?
Well, I don’t really recall most of it, but I love Ru. I’ve known him for a long time. And I enjoyed myself. I thought they did a great job.
When did you first become aware you were an icon in the gay community?
I always knew I loved everybody. Period. I don’t care who you sleep with, that’s not my business. That’s their private shit. You know what I’m saying? I love people, and that’s it.
Do you ever read your reviews?
Not really, no.
They’re usually very positive.
Yeah, but they all say the same thing. It’s like reading a book over and over.
I can tell that you always want to keep it moving. You did an incredible live-stream concert in the pandemic, and the power and depth of your vocals blew me away. What’s your secret to keeping your voice in shape?
Sleep.
How many hours do you need?
As many as I can get. I’m a big fan of sleep. Your body has to do its own healing. Your body heals itself, but we often don’t give it the chance to do that.
You’re at a point in your career where you could very comfortably sit back and enjoy your past successes…
I’m a next girl. I’m a future girl. I don’t look at the past at all, because I did that already. I’ve got the lessons the past taught me. Now I live for tomorrow.
What advice would you give to young artists that want to make it in the business today?
I would first say, “Good luck.” Because it’s a mad, crazy business. It’s full of the wrong people; people who are sick in the head, who want to be you and do what you’re doing. They inflict all sorts of things on you because of it. I would say, try to read your contracts and own all your stuff. Strive to know what’s going on with you so you can’t get screwed.
The industry has changed a lot in 50 years. Artists now get signed from TikTok.
This technology is the only thing I like [laughs]. You can get movies on it sometimes! The rest of it is a bother for me. But I’m glad that people have control over their content. That’s a powerful thing.
Are there any new artists you admire right now?
I’m working with Sia right now. We’re doing a pop album. It’s going to be amazing. I just heard this other artist, but she’s not new. Her name is Billie Eilish. I fell in love with her while watching True Detective: Night Country. It’s filmed where the sun doesn’t come up for months in Alaska.
Is that the one with Jodie Foster?
Absolutely. If you haven’t seen it, you need to. The acting is amazing. The storyline is unreal. I just sat down and watched the whole thing, and I wanted to tell someone else. I couldn’t stop.
Billie Eilish is so good. She has such emotion to her voice and she’s technically great.
The lyrics are so fucking honest. That’s what I love. There’s no shame in her game. She says it like it is and that is so beautiful. That’s a gift to be able to do that. I hate censorship, and I love the real.
I heard that you were coming out with a range of chocolates.
Do you know about my perfume?
I saw it.
You should go and get some and smell it. It’s for men and women, and it’s really good. I’m an oil girl. I’ve used oils all my life. And what it is, is a compilation of most of the oils I’ve used throughout my life. And they come together so beautifully.
I imagine the microphone-shaped bottle was custom-made.
I designed it. It’s me in a bottle!
And what about the chocolates?
Yeah, those are coming. We’re still working on that, because it’s hard to ship edible [products].
Have you been eating a lot of samples?
No. But I will be soon!
What’s your best beauty secret?
I don’t have any secrets. I use soap and water. I put some cream on my face. I use oil on my body. I take a bath. That’s it. Real simple. I don’t get too deep into cosmetics, you know? You can be on that, I don’t have to be. People feel they have to fix shit. I think we’re just beautiful the way we are. I don’t think we should do crazy shit to ourselves, you know? But it’s everybody’s choice.
