Chaka Khan has apologized for her disparaging comments over Rolling Stone‘s “Greatest Singers Of All Time” list.
Khan came in at number 29 on the list but didn’t agree with her placement, slamming several artists that ranked higher than her, including Mariah Carey, Adele, and Mary J. Blige.
The singer was unaware of the list until very recently but thought Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Beyoncé were placed appropriately.
Read on for more details.
Rolling Stone Released A ‘Greatest Singers Of All Time’ List
On January 1st, Rolling Stone released its “Greatest Singers of all time” list, ranking them from 1 to 200.
Topping the list is legendary “Respect” singer Aretha Franklin, whom the magazine company described as “A force of nature. A work of genius. A gift from the heavens.”
Other singers that made the list include Whitney Houston at No. 2, Mariah Carey at No. 5, Rihanna at No. 68, and The Weeknd at No. 110, with Khan coming in at No. 29.
The publication specified that the list was the “greatest singers” and not the “greatest voices.”
Chaka Khan Disagreed With The List
During an interview with Andrew Goldman on his The Originals podcast for Los Angeles magazine, Khan, 69, didn’t seem to agree with some names on the list, particularly those that were above hers.
The “I’m Every Woman” singer learned of the list on the podcast, but that didn’t stop her from sharing her take on it, as she dissed some singers that ranked higher than her.
“That must be payola or some sh*t like that,” she remarked after learning that Mariah Carey came in at No. 5. She also remarked, “Okay, I quit!” when she got told that Adele was placed at No. 22.
According to L.A. Magazine, Khan rekindled her longtime beef with Mary J. Blige, who was placed at No. 25, four spots above her.
“These are blind b**ches! They are blind as a motherf**king bat! They need hearing aids. These must be the children of Helen Keller!” Khan exclaimed, slamming Rolling Stone‘s list.
She recalled a 1975 song, “Sweet Thing,” by her funk band, Rufus, lamenting that Mary J. Blige messed it up after she sang a version of it on her 1992 debut album, “What’s The 411?”
Chaka Khan Apologizes For Her Comments
The 10-time Grammy-award-winning singer has now apologized for her comments about some of the singers who ranked higher than her on Rolling Stone’s “Greatest Singers Of All Time” list.
Khan took to Instagram to share a lengthy apology note, stating it was not her “intention to cause pain or upset anyone.”
The note read, “Recently, I was asked about a list of the ‘greatest singers of all time’ and instead of questioning the need for such a list, I was pitted against other artists and I took the bait.”
Khan continued, “As artists, we are unfairly put into ‘boxes’, ‘categories’ or on ‘lists.’ Being an artist or musician is not a competition. It’s a gift, for which I am truly grateful.”
She expressed her regrets and apologized, saying, “It was not my intention to cause pain or upset anyone. To anyone that felt this way, I sincerely apologize. Thank you for all the love everyone has shown me, unconditionally.”
Chaka Khan Wants To Empower Artists
Upon sharing her note of regret, she divulged that she has been working in the background on an initiative that adds value to people, particularly artists.
“I have always been about empowering others and I started a foundation for that very purpose,” she stated. Khan continued, “Empowering all artists is most important because we truly are the architects of change…and change begins within the heart.”
In a chat with Entertainment Tonight, the singer shared some of the biggest life lessons she’s learned over time. She noted that for any dream anyone has, there are only two options involved; you’re “either going to realize it” or “crash and burn.”
Khan added, “You’re gonna have to do it, it has to be done. Or you have to pick something else. Because the calling is just the calling. It’s that simple. It’s bigger than you. So, you have to do it. And if you don’t, the post office is always hiring.”
