Every so often a true soul maven resonates with music lovers like no other. Somewhere on Chicago's South Side a diminutive chanteuse anointed Chaka Khan with larger-than-life vocals rocked the world of rhythm and blues. Nearly 40 years later, Khan's musical legacy which includes her stint as a lead singer for the 70s R&B group Rufus to her solo career, has been adopted by several musical genres. Essence.com caught up with the powerhouse to talk about "Divas With Heart," learning to love herself and helping her son with his recovery.

Essence.com: The "Divas With Heart" concert has many asking who will be the opening act or will it be a collaborative show? 


Chaka Khan: It’s unique so you can’t compare individuality because one personality is not necessarily better or worse, they are just different. It’s more of a matter of taste and whether people like that person’s style. 



Essence.com: You're all divas. What do you have in common with your co-headliners?


C.K.: One thing we have in common is that we are powerful. Who knows maybe there will be a grand finale with all of us. I just want everyone to have a good time.



Essence.com: How'd you become involved?


C.K: The Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, which will receive most of the donated concert proceeds will be donated reached out to me through my foundation. As you know, the Chaka Khan Foundation is currently doing an educational initiative on a cure and relief program for autism. We are also working with low-income neighborhoods where many of the children are surrounded by gang violence and drugs and who hardly ever leave their neighborhoods to see the rest of the city. We try to empower the children through tutoring, sponsored trips to museums, television shows like Judge Judy, and expose them to new experiences. The initiative will allow us to stay with these kids for the next five to six years to see them through junior and high schools. We have to break the cycle of Black and Latin youth who often become victims of street wars.



Essence.com: It's important to start with the kids. Do you think they realize the magnitude of the adversity they face?


C.K.: What they don’t seem to realize that all of us will sink if we don't remain united and empowered. Our kids just need to know that someone cares. The foundation makes parents sign contracts to ensure their support of our initiatives. They must be involved and be aware of what’s going on in the schools! 



Essence.com: Are you hands-on with your foundation? 


C.K.: I’m there getting my hands dirty, cleaned and blessed in service of these children. A lot of people don’t seem to understand I’m reluctant to be proactive with our youth because they are afraid of them there. 



Essence.com: What is your wish for our youth?


C.K.: I'd like them to know and completely understand that they are earthlings from this planet. They need to feel that expansive spirit and know that there isn't any endeavor that is too great or unattainable for them. 

 

Essence.com: Thank you for giving back. You're an activist but also a spokesperson for a health drink?


C.K.: Yes, I'm a spokesperson for Purple Drink by Bob Ellis, who was my manager. He’s a total health nut and wonderful human being. Purple is an antioxidant mixed with blueberry and I swear I feel great after drinking it like I'm turning back the hands of time.



Essence.com: What is your connection with the color purple outside of the Broadway play? 

C.K.: Spiritually, it's a powerful color and it has a healing aspect. I'm totally into color therapy. Every color has an impact on a certain part of the brain and the color purple gives me great comfort. I like all colors such as gems, semi-precious stones, reds, greens— deep colors, not pastels.  



Essence: Why don’t you like pastels? 

C.K.: I don’t like anything to almost be that. Either be what you're supposed to be completely or don't be at all! 



Essence.com: I'll never look at pastels the same again. A while ago you spoke to Essence after the trial of your son who was accused of fatally shooting one of his friends. Thankfully, he was found innocent. How has your family been holding up? 


C.K.: My daughter is wonderful and traveling all over Europe doing plays and musicals. She is working a lot and my son's extremely gifted and we're just praying for him. He’s doing recovery and I know he’s gonna be fine. Right now, he has a lot of stuff to deal with but he’s productive person and a genius. He just has to clean all the dirt off his heart and spirit and clean himself up so he can be the great talent I know he is. 



Essence.com: We will keep you and your family in prayer. What's the one thing you discovered about yourself that you weren't always aware of? 


C.K.: That I’m good people because there was a time when I was using drugs and self-medicating that I had a very bad self image of myself. I felt a lot of guilt and a lot of things about myself I thought it was all b---sh--. I had this residual, nutty pain that I had to come to grips with by getting to an authentic and honest place where I could face life and love myself. Yvette [my birth name] and Chaka had to come back together and reacquaint. 



Essence.com: Now that your two selves have reconnected who are you? 


C.K.: I’m a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and so much more. Now, I can authentically be those things without any guilt and be in a good place and live my life to the fullest.