Iconic singer Chaka Khan sat down for a recent episode of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with host Andy Cohen where they broached a myriad of topics. Khan’s career spans five decades so naturally there was plenty to unpack.
When asked about Kanye West using a sample of her 1984 song, “Through The Fire” for his own “Through The Wire” cut, she admitted she wasn’t pleased by the end result.
“[The conversations went] very differently than the song turned out, obviously,” she said. “… He called me when he just got out of the hospital. He said, ‘You were so instrumental in my healing process. I had to change the words a little bit to the song, but I had to eat through a wire, you know, and I was wired shut, through a straw.'”
“It meant that much to me and it really got my heart. It pulled … at my [heart] strings,” she continued. “So I said, ‘Yeah. Use it.’ Then when it came out … I was pissed.”
Rather than talk to ‘Ye about how she feels, she decided silence speaks volumes.
“I didn’t [talk to him]. What can I say?” she said. “The best way to tell him is silence. And give him crickets.”
Watch the full conversation above and check out ‘Ye’s version below.
Fam…samples are sped up everyday B LMAO
Chaka Khan is a legend but Kanye’s song brought more light to her song to a new generation. she should see the positive side. I’m sure Kanye will be crushed
For real bro. I’m she got her royalty checks cuz that record made millions.
And Ye is sensitive dude. He’ll probably write a song about that.
Personally, I always hated those squeaky voice samples in rap songs….shit’s irritating
It wasn’t bad when the RZA pretty much introduced sped up samples that inspired Just Blaze, Kanye etc…but it sounds like it might not be everybody (you included). Like the chop and screwed era, to The Funkadelics sample, each generation comes through re-inventing hip hop. What I’m saying is, it resonated, brought a new slice to the game. Regardless of one’s opinions in the matter, these artists became champs in their own rights. I’m a huge fan of it. But returning to the article, Chaka’s description of the encounter isn’t so far out from the lyrics conveyed in the song. It makes me wonder if she sat down and listened to the lyrics as opposed to whether the sample she offered was a hit or not. She obviously has a negative bunch in her circle gearing her for this, but there’s nothing to gear up for…Just another misguided soul that doesn’t want to associate with Ye due to his ongoing issues and predicaments. I bet she would be soooo supportive if he was more in a positive light with the masses. Her camps like “Chaka! Be hip!!! Yada yada yada…”
and one more time to remind everyone whos apparently forgot this happened: SHE.PERFORMED.THE.SONG.WITH.YE.AT.THE.VMAS!
i really do think shes just saying this cause she fell out of favor with ye for the reasons you brought up
Fuck you chaka bitch
Very disrespectful so I understand your mother is a bitch.
Respect to Chaka. Hands down all day and she’s a legend. But what was she expecting ? Producers speed up samples, add effects n shit. She didn’t tell him like Don’t use it this way or that way. That record made millions and I’m sure she got a royalty checks too. Was she mad ? Did she shred the checks ? lol. Her comment was stupid. but still Hands down to the legend though.
exactly, and on top of that, she performed the song on stage with him at the VMAS for christ’s sake!
why would she agree to do it if she felt that way inside? she could have respectfully declined, but she didn’t!
something is just two-faced about her comments in this interview
While it’s a bit disappointing to know she’s not a fan of how he used the sample, it’s not crazy to hear. Many artist don’t like when they find out they’ve been sampled, or how their music was used. There are some artist who plain don’t like their own music in hindsight. George Michael thought careless whisper received way more credit than it deserved and that song is fucking legendary.
SHE PROB REGRETS IT BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH A DICK HE’S BECOME.
he made her sound like a chipmunk, she has every right to think it was wack
How old are you? You sound dumb af
apparently you don’t understand that pitched vocals was a popular style/aesthetic of sampling to alter a record into something else, especially during that time in 2003/2004, and she sure didn’t think it was whack to accept the royalty checks or perform the song at the video music awards with him on stage in 2004
I’m not knocking her because she’s old and doesn’t know hip hop, but that “chipmunk”style that kanye and just blaze created is responsible for some of my favorite music ever.
1. Jay Z- You Don’t Know
2. Kanye West – Slow Jamz
3. Cam’ron – Oh boy
4. Jay Z – Girls, Girls, Girls Pt 2
5. Beanie Sigel – Nothing Like It
These are just a few of the gems that style brought hip hop. Legendary shit
With a name so ignorant it shouldn’t be responded to but please, on your own time, when no one can see you, enlighten yourself to Kanye. Not the media coverage, not headlines, not political BS he clearly is not knowledgeable on-the MUSIC. If for no other reason than so you can be less ignorant. Kanye is the GOAT!
GTFOH… really?!?! She wasn’t mad when the sample royalty check cleared and she definitely wasn’t mad when he brought her on stage to perform the song live and bring her old catalog to a new generation! She just another who thinks it’s cool to bag on Ye now because it’s popular. This ain’t it… he did something for you musically that not many other artists do. Loss of some respect.
You and the sample sound stupid. Other than that the rest of the song is nice.
really reply guy? dj has a point if she honestly felt that way, why did she agree to perform the song with kanye at the vmas 2004? and how the hell is silence the best way to be honest with someone about how you feel? kanye ain’t no damn mind reader, that shit don’t even make any sense! its just very two-faced of her to make these remarks NOW almost 2 decades later after the fact!
I could see both sides with this issue.. But you always gotta respect the architect and it seems like Kanye didn’t do that (didn’t tell her how he was going to sample her voice/song).
Song is still ??
Song is still fire
say whattttttt it was stupid ?eat shit chaka cos that ur interview is stupid too.u shoulda refused to perform wit him and refused the check as well when the song came out and was stupid. women and bitching about everythin
Was it stupid when she performed the song live with ‘Ye in 2004 at the MTV Awards?!?
Her (I feel for you) song sampled Melly Mel’s voice..THAT WAS HORRIBLE!! so, it is what it is