CHAKA KHAN: THE 1998 INTERVIEW

CK Shares About The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince) And Freedom...

September 1998: I am sitting down with Chaka Khan in her office in the San Fernando Valley. It’s likely our third or fourth interview since her Rufus days.

After twenty years, she’s left Warner Brothers Records and is experiencing a new kind of artistic freedom with her eighth solo album, co-writing ten of the fourteen songs on “Come 2 My House,” an impressive collaboration with The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince).

The mood is upbeat: aside from my constant sampling of her then newly-launched line of chocolates known as ‘Chakalates,’ it’s all about the music.

From my standpoint, this is the best album Chaka’s made since her halcyon days with Rufus, thus I am unashamedly biased as she shares about stepping into new terrain with her creativity…

© 1998, David Nathan, All Rights Reserved

I am reminded that, while her recording output has been less frequent since 1998, it’s about quality not quantity, for true art happens in its own time: I consider the 2004 album, “ClassiKhan” (for which I am proud to say I wrote liner notes), recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, in line with “Come 2 My House,” another major creative and artistic achievement.

Much has happened in the years since.

Chaka and I have spoken with more frequency, often before or after concerts in Los Angeles and London, developing more of a friendship and connection, including her attendance at my 75th birthday celebration in L.A. in February 2023 at which she shared how we had been doing interviews for 50 years.

Oh and lest I forget: my first book of ‘soulful poetry’ - due for a rebirth sometime soon - is named appropriately after one of the pieces I wrote, “Like… The First Time You Heard Chaka Khan.”

For real.

(C) 2025, David Nathan/Blue Butterfly Entertainment Ltd. (UK), All Rights Reserved

‘COME 2 MY HOUSE’ - AMAZON.COM LINK

‘COME 2 MY HOUSE’ - AMAZON.CO.UK LINK