A debate has begun over Rolling Stone's latest ranking of the greatest singers in the world.
Chaka Khan slammed the magazine's editors as "blind bimbos" who "need hearing aids" in a new interview, after they dared to place her at No. 29 on a list of "The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time," behind Adele and Mary J. Blige.
In a spirited conversation with Andrew Goldman for Los Angeles Magazine's "The Originals" podcast, Khan grumbled about the rankings, stating that those behind the rankings were blind and oblivious. She even said they require hearing aids and must be "Helen Keller's children!"
She criticized Mariah Carey, Joan Baez, and others during the conversation, while praising Beyoncé and Aretha Franklin. When asked about Carey's fifth-place finish, Khan said, "That must be payola or something like that." When Goldman questioned why Adele was rated 22nd, Khan threw up her hands and said she'd like to quit.
The "Ain't Nobody" singer was as forthright in her assessment of No. 189 on the list, folk artist Joan Baez.
"Let's be honest, she can't sing!" she said, before admitting, "Now she's a talented writer."
Khan did not find the whole list bogus though.
Khan remarked, regarding the late, great Aretha Franklin, who topped the list at No. 1, "As she f-ing should be. Thank you, justice exists somewhere!" The singer was also pleased that Whitney Houston placed second, stating, "Wonderful... I introduced her to [music industry magnate] Clive Davis."
She said that she introduced her to the business.
She revealed that she instructed her mother to bring her to the studio to perform background vocals with her, along with Luther Vandross. Both of them sang backing vocals on her records, Khan explained.
As for Beyoncé at number eight? "I don't have anything to say about Beyoncé. She's a great singer... She's got the chops. She does," Khan said. She stated that she had never heard of the Rolling Stone list before the interview. "I didn't even know what the hell you were talking about, so obviously this don't mean a great deal to me," she told Goldman. "These people don't quantify or validate me in any way," she concluded.
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