Chaka Khan - Apple Podcasts

The Interview

The Interview

BBC World Service
Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

BBC Sounds

May 24

Chaka Khan, singer: Music is a calling

“This is a calling. It's bigger than anything in your life as an individual. If you found the thing that you were put on this planet to do, and a lot of people are put on this planet and they don't know, it's such a gift to find it.” Nick Grimshaw and Annie Macmanus speak to global music icon Chaka Khan about her life and career. Born Yvette Marie Stevens in the US city of Chicago in 1953, her big break came at the age of 20 when her band Rufus signed its first record deal. With her powerful vocals and striking stage presence, she quickly caught the public’s attention. The band enjoyed commercial and critical success in the years that followed, before Chaka decided to go it alone around a decade later… a decision which transformed her life and career. Worldwide hits such as I’m Every Woman and I Feel For You followed, as well as collaborations with legends like Whitney Houston and Prince, multiple Grammy Awards, and an induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. As a new musical telling her story begins its run, the 73-year-old has a lot to reflect on. Thank you to the Sidetracked team for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, and artist Tracey Emin. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. Presenters: Nick Grimshaw and Annie Macmanus Producers: Ben Cooper, Gráinne Morrison and Christine Czerniec Editor: Damon Rose Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media. (Image: Chaka Khan. Credit: Getty)

26 min
May 14

Sidetracked with Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan joins Annie and Nick to discuss her life, legacy and new music. She reveals the very personal reason behind her strong work ethic, her feelings about awards, and why she continues to grow as a musician. What does Chaka’s life look like when she’s not on stage? She tells Annie and Nick about breathing fresh air for the first time in years, not telling people her address, and feeding her free-range chickens. And it’s been a decade since her close friend, Prince, died; Chaka reminisces about working with him - and the unusual way in which he paid her. Plus, why the Queen of Funk isn’t a fair title, the dangers of not following your dreams, and stage fright solutions from Carlos Santana. Chaka’s new song ‘Chakzilla’ is out now. Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email sidetracked@bbc.co.uk And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram bio. SONGS Chaka Khan – Chakzilla Chaka Khan – I Feel For You Chaka Khan – Tell Me Something Good

55 min
06/13/2024

Graves of stillborn babies, Chaka Khan, Climate seniors, Right wing women leaders in the EU

Up until the 1980s, stillborn babies were swiftly taken from their mothers who weren’t always told what had happened to them. Now one of those mothers is calling for an apology after finding the grave of her stillborn son more than five decades after he was born. Gina Jacobs talks to Anita about how she found where her son Robert had been buried and how she’s working to help other women do the same. In April the European Court of Human Rights passed a landmark ruling saying that Switzerland was violating the human rights of its citizens by inadequate action on climate change. The case was launched by a group of Swiss women over 65 called "climate seniors", calling for better protection of women's health from the effects of climate change. But yesterday, the Swiss parliament voted to reject the ruling, saying that it already has an effective climate change strategy. Elisabeth Stern, one of the climate seniors, joins Anita to share her reactions to the news. The American singer-songwriter, Chaka Khan, known as the Queen of Funk, is celebrating her 50th anniversary in music this year. With hits such as Ain't Nobody, I Feel for You and the anthem I'm Every Woman her music has sold an estimated 70 million records, winning her 10 Grammy Awards. She is curating Meltdown 2024 at the Royal Festival Hall, and opens the festival tomorrow night. She shares her plans and discusses her favourite songs. Far-right parties across Europe made significant gains in the European elections, and women have been at the forefront of this right-wing shift in several countries. Right-wing groups which include those led by Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, France’s Marine Le Pen and Germany’s Alice Weidel are set to gain further seats in European parliament. To hear about the female leaders of Europe’s far-right and what this shift could mean for women, Anita is joined by the host of EU Confidential Politico's Sarah Wheaton and Shona Murray, Europe correspondent for Euronews. A new report has found that women artists made up just 2% of the most-played songs on Irish radio in the past year. To find out why women aren’t getting more airplay in Ireland, Anita is joined by Linda Coogan Byrne, the founder of Why Not Her? which champions gender diversity in the Irish culture sector. Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Olivia Skinner

54 min
11/21/2022 • Subscribers Only

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan’s legendary career as a singer and songwriter has spanned five decades. She’s successfully crossed genres from pop and rock, to R&B and gospel. She’s won 10 GRAMMYs, released a total of 10 gold and platinum albums, and inspired generations of artists. Here, Chaka reflects on the powerful connection she forms with her audience through song and how she’s reinvented her life and career throughout the years.

21 min
Jan 1

The Breakfast Club BEST OF(Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills and Chaka Khan, Phylicia Rashad, And Mara Brock Akil Interview)

Best of 2025- Queens - Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills and Chaka Khan, Phylicia Rashad, And Mara Brock Akil Interview. Recorded 2025. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 14m
03/12/2020

Chaka Khan Interview: Revisited

B. Scott revisits and reveals behind the scenes moments from his 2011 interview with Chaka Khan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 min
Jan 1

Best of full interview: Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle & Chaka Khan Talk Longevity, 'Diva' Stigma, Industry Standards + More

Best of 2025- Queens - Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle & Chaka Khan Talk Longevity, 'Diva' Stigma, Industry Standards. Recorded 2025. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

38 min
06/22/2024

Weekend Woman's Hour: Paloma Faith, right wing women leaders in the EU, Emma Caldwell case, Chaka Khan

Paloma Faith is an award-winning singer, songwriter and actor. She has released six albums, including her most recent The Glorification of Sadness, received a BRIT Award, been a judge on The Voice UK as well as an actor in films such as St Trinian’s and TV’s series Pennyworth. She is also the mother of two daughters. She joins Clare to discuss her book – MILF - in which she delves into the issues that face women today from puberty and sexual awakenings, to battling through the expectations of patriarchy and the Supermum myth. Far-right parties across Europe made significant gains in the European elections, and women have been at the forefront of this right-wing shift in several countries. Right-wing groups which include those led by Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, France’s Marine Le Pen and Germany’s Alice Weidel are set to gain further seats in European parliament. To hear about the female leaders of Europe’s far-right and what this shift could mean for women, Anita is joined by the host of EU Confidential Politico's Sarah Wheaton and Shona Murray, Europe correspondent for Euronews. Nearly 300 rapes and sexual assaults reported by sex workers during the Emma Caldwell murder investigation were not dealt with by police at the time, the BBC has learned. 276 reports of sex crimes made by sex workers working in Glasgow during the murder inquiry were filed away and not acted upon. Investigate journalist Sam Poling, whose work was pivotal in bringing Emma Caldwell’s killer, Iain Packer, to justice in February of this year, joins Clare McDonnell to discuss, along with former Detective Sergeant Willie Mason. The American singer-songwriter, Chaka Khan, known as the Queen of Funk, is celebrating her 50th anniversary in music this year. With hits such as Ain't Nobody, I Feel for You and the anthem I'm Every Woman her music has sold an estimated 70 million records, winning her 10 Grammy Awards. She is curating Meltdown 2024 at the Royal Festival Hall, and opens the festival tomorrow night. She shares her plans and discusses her favourite songs. Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Rebecca Myatt

43 min

Chaka Khan on Apple