Born Yvette Marie Stevens, Chaka Khan, who changed her name while
working as a teen for the Black Panthers as part of their Free Breakfast For
Children program, is a modern day entertainment icon. From her group work as
part of Rufus to her hugely successful solo career, she’s worked with everyone
from Prince to Mary J. Blige, and her final product is always of a high
standard.
If it’s not her undeniable musical prowess, it’s her willingness to give
back that sets her apart from the rest of the pack. Not only is Chaka always prepared
to help other musicians when called upon – her song “Through The Fire”
was resurrected with her permission when Kanye West sampled it on his debut
smash “Through The Wire.”
Chaka also has her very own charity Foundation. Formed in 1999, the Chaka
Khan Foundation helps women and children in crisis. Chaka has taken part in
many benefits dedicated to the conquering of AIDS and HIV prevention. Basically
she’s someone who wants to give back.
Returning with a new album, which has already won two Grammy Awards,
Chaka Khan has teamed up with virtuoso production team Jimmy Jam & Terry
Lewis to bring us Funk This. AllHipHop.com Alternatives managed
to catch a bit of time with the legendary lady of soul on a quick promo trip to
the UK.
AllHipHop.com
Alternatives: It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything new from you. Why
did you decide to release an album now?
Chaka
Khan: It really wasn’t that I decided to do an album now. I’ve courted a few
labels over a ten-year period, and then I decided things weren’t really right
for me. So I continued to work on the road to pay the bills, and then finally a
label came to me and wanted to sign me. They were a great label, very
supportive and very helpful. Like many of my previous labels, they tried to
find me the right producers to work with, which they couldn’t.
Then my
sister/manager Tammy said, “Why don’t we take Jam & Lewis up on their offer
that they want to work with you?” We had been talking about it for years in
passing, but had never laid anything down. Finally they moved from Minneapolis
to Santa Monica, right up the street from me, and I paid them a visit. I asked
them if they’d be interested in working with me. They were very interested, and
then that’s where the new album started.
AHHA: Funk
This contains a few covers and some of your own records. How did the
concept come about that you were going to do the album this way?
Chaka
Khan:
I have so many songs that have accumulated over the years, and wewanted to make sure that this album had some chance at commercial success. So,
some of the covers are for that reason. We picked only the best, without
sticking to a theme. There is a sort of underlining theme to the album but it’s
very hidden. I don’t even know what it is.
Everything
just goes together nicely. I wanted it to go back to me and my authentic roots,
the organic Chaka Khan. Basically what made people fall in love with me in the
first place was hearing me with Rufus doing live music on a board with live
musicians, as opposed to doing it via the internet and what not.
AHHA: Following
the US release of the album you won two Grammy Awards for it. How does it feel
to still be winning Grammy’s this far in to your career?
Chaka
Khan: It’s special. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised to have even
been nominated. I mean…I was expecting something from this album; I just wasn’t
sure what. I didn’t expect to win two Grammy’s. I can tell you that for
nothing. All my friends were telling me I was going to win both. I was like,
“Yeah, right!” I was just happy to have even been acknowledged. I then gave it
no more thought and carried on working. And lo and behold I got them both. To
me, that was a sign that we did right by this album.
AHHA: You’ve
had a long and successful career in music. What would you say has been the key
to your success? What keeps you going?
Chaka
Khan: I mean c’mon, first of all it takes a certain amount of talent to stay
relevant. And people have to recognize that. They need to know it and feel it.
That’s part of it. I’ve paid my dues. I’ve paid a lot of dues in fact. I’ve
been through a lot and I think because of that people recognise that I am
authentic, at least in my musical communication. Other than that, I don’t
really look at it or think about it that much. I’m just thankful.
AHHA: While
some of today’s youngsters may not know who you are, especially in physical
form, you allowed Kanye West, who at the time was trying to get his music
heard, to sample your hit “Through The Fire.”
It was
definitely an important moment in music. You effectively helped kick start the
career of one of today’s most credible Hip-Hop artists. How did this come
about? Did you think it would help him? And how important do you think it is to
share samples with other artists?
Chaka
Khan:
I thought it would help him. I really did. I did for a whole differentreason though. He called me and asked me if he could use the song because he
had been in an amazing accident and my song helped him to recover. So how could
I say no? That was my primary reason for agreeing to it. Of course I didn’t
expect him to speed it up and make me sound like a chipmunk.
It wasn’t
until later I found out that his trademark was in fact speeding up older
records and using them on his tracks. I’m just glad I was of some assistance in
helping him get better. However, I do believe there should be a lot more
legislation when it comes to using other people’s music. If you can’t play the
music, then why bother? Be a DJ. That’s how I feel personally.
If you’re
going to be a musician, be a musician. Play it. Play the instrument or get
somebody that can to play it, because I think that things like Pro Tools and
other electronic recording equipment are made to enhance music that’s already
been done. It’s used to freak it, tweak it, whatever…
AHHA: Music
has changed a lot since you first burst on to the scene. So who is it that you
listen to?
Chaka
Khan: Through the years I’ve gone through five-year patches where I’ll be in
to five or six CD’s. That’s it. And I don’t really listen to music at home. I
like to listen to it in the car. So in my car right now I think there is Joni
[Mitchell], Miles [Davis] – “Tutu” is probably in there, Kim Burrell, Rahsaan
Patterson, Mica Paris. Oh, and I love Anthony Hamilton. He’s not in my car
though. I need to get him in my car. I’m really particular when it comes to
what I’m listening to. I don’t listen to the radio. Even satellite stuff I
don’t deal with. I hate being at the mercy of someone else’s selection. I have
to have my own. I can’t trash out my ears otherwise it messes with me. I need
music equilibrium.
AHHA: You’re
back in the UK promoting the new album, which includes a few performances, one
being at the O2 Arena. What is it about touring that you love so much?
Chaka
Khan:
That’s what it’s all about. At the end of the day it’s aboutcommunicating person to person. It’s about the giving of yourself, the offering
of yourself, and then getting back whatever is given back to you. There’s
nothing like it. If you want to talk about something that’s addictive, then
performing is it. Just that feeling once you step on stage is enough to drive
you to do it over and over again.
AHHA: What’s
next for you?
Chaka
Khan: Well… working this CD to death, to the limit, working it to the
rafters, and doing all that I can to make a success of it. Then it’s back in to
the studio I go. I also have a Foundation, which I’m going to hook up with a
few key people here in the UK to help further it. It’s a Foundation that helps
children and women in crisis. We have an education initiative that we’re
working on right now. We also work with autism.Chaka Khan Performing at the Diesel xXx Party