The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, may have also gained the title “Queen of Candor” after her latest interview with Los Angeles Magazine’s Andrew Goldman. The 69-year-old sat down for an episode of the publication’s podcast, The Originals, and held nothing back as she shared her opinion about fellow singers Mariah Carey, Adele, and even “longtime frenemy” Mary J. Blige.
A Rolling Stone Listicle Sparked Great Response From Chaka Khan
On January 1, 2023, Rolling Stone unveiled their “200 Greatest Singers of All Time” listicle. The legendary singer appeared at #29 on that list and took to Instagram on January 3 to thank the publication for her inclusion.
Honored to be selected as one of @rollingstone’s 200 Greatest Singers of All Time at #29!
However, in a recent interview with Goldman, Chaka Khan revealed that “the magazine’s list was unknown to her” before Goldman brought it up in their interview, congratulating her for her rank.
I didn’t even know what the h*ll you were talking about, so obviously this don’t mean a great deal to me. These people don’t quantify or validate me in any way.
Chaka Khan Fires At Mariah Carey, Adele & Mary J. Blige
Additionally, the 69-year-old songstress also held nothing back regarding the placement of the singers that ranked ahead of her. Rolling Stone placed songstress Mariah Carey at #5, and Khan reportedly remarked the placement “must be payola.”
That must be payola or some shit like that.
The publication ranked Adele at #22, which, Goldman writes, prompted Khan to bring about a “momentary existential crisis.”
Okay, I quit.
However, it was Mary J. Blige’s rank at #25 which sparked the most surprising reaction from Chaka Khan who reportedly criticized the hearing ability of Rolling Stone’s editors.
They are blind as a motherf*****g bat! They need hearing aids…These must be the children of Helen Keller!
Chaka Khan unloads on Rolling Stone’s “The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time,” going after Adele, Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey: https://t.co/JlPZUU9nnW pic.twitter.com/qPgQGWsXJ6
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 2, 2023
Chaka Khan’s Criticism of Mary J. Blige’s 1992 “Sweet Thing” Cover
Additionally, Khan’s response prompted Goldman to reflect on when the singer criticized Mary J. Blige for her cover of the 1975 Rufus ballad “Sweet Thing.” Mary J. Blige placed on her cover for the song on her 1992 debut album, What’s The 411?
According to Goldman, Khan called the cover “the song Mary J. Blige f****d up” at a public concert years ago. However, Khan refuted Goldman’s assertion.
She explained that she “didn’t say that out in public.” But she “might’ve said it” directly to Mary J. Blige.
But I told Mary J. Blige she f*****d it up!… Number one, her vocals were flat. And I asked her, ‘what time of day was it, or night — what were you doing when you decided to cover ‘Sweet Thing’?’
Khan alleged that Blige told her she recorded the song at 8 a.m. in the morning, which the songstress seemed to dislike. However, she explained that she and Blige have a transparent relationship and can speak freely.
I love her. She loves me — and we don’t have a problem.
Roommates, what do you think about this?
