Chaka Khan talks her 50th anniversary, friendships, new material and her upcoming music festival performances Queen of Funk Chaka Khan has, somewhat unbelievably, just turned 71. And to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her iconic musical career – which has seen Chaka work with the likes of fellow musical legends Prince and Stevie Wonder – she’s giving two UK summer performances this year.
I love the rain and foggy days – I miss it. At Love Supreme you’ve got Kool & The Gang and at Nocturne Live it’s Joss Stone, Sister Sledge, Sheryl Crow and Mel C. Are any of them friends? So far, no. Mel C I know a bit. This business is not conducive to forming really strong friendships. I meet a lot of people on the road but you’re like ships in the night. What was it like doing The Masked Singer and being in a massive costume? It was awful. God awful.