Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan to receive Hitmaker Award

Chaka Khan

Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman Jimmy Webb announced today that Chaka Khan will be the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award at the Annual Induction and Awards Dinner slated for Thursday, June 16 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

‘Chaka Kahn’s signature voice and unique vision have influenced the sound of popular music in a way that has endured,’ commented Chairman Jimmy Webb. ‘We are proud to bestow this well-deserved honor upon her.’

Music icon Chaka Khan is legendary for her all-powerful voice, show stopping stage presence and fearless style. The soul singer/songwriter has won 10 GrammysÂ® and countless other awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from both BET and the World Music Awards, as well as the prestigious UNCF Award of Excellence for her outstanding accomplishments in the music industry. Her albums have received platinum and gold recognition and throughout her career, she has collaborated with artists such as Prince, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Steve Winwood, Michael McDonald, Rod Stewart and Mary J. Blige.

Prince would ban all others artists from covering his songs.

Prince appeared last week on George Lopez and created a stir when he stated that other artists should not be able to record his songs.

After saying he didn’t mind when his songs were covered live, he told Lopez “My problem is when the industry covers the music. There’s this thing called compulsory licensing law that allows artists through the record companies to take your music at will without your permission. And that doesn’t exist in any other art form, be it books, movies — There’s only one version of Law & Order. There’s several versions of Kiss and Purple Rain.”

He also said “See, covering music means that your version doesn’t exist anymore. A lot of times people think that I’m doing Sinead O’Connor’s song and Chaka Khan’s song when in fact I wrote those songs.”

Here’s the problem. While the laws may not be as stringent as needed, his statements just don’t ring true. Nobody forgot the Beatles did Got to Get You Into My Life just because Earth Wind and Fire covered it and, really, when you think of the song Kiss, do you think of Tom Jones or the original by Prince?

From the other angle, did Prince get permission from Tommy James & the Shondells to record Crimson in Clover (on the album Lotusflow3r) or the Stylistics for Betcha By Golly Wow (Emancipation) or Joan Osbourne for One of Us (Emancipation)?

There appears to be a bit of hypocrisy in Prince’s latest war with the rest of the world.

Chaka Khan, Marion Jones Tapped As Keynote Speakers At Women’s Empowerment Series

Chaka Khan, Marion Jones Tapped As Keynote Speakers At Women's Empowerment Series.

Chaka Khan, Marion Jones Tapped As Keynote Speakers At Women’s Empowerment Series. Multiple Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan is set to partner with former track and field world champ athlete Marion Jones for the third installment of the women’s empowerment series “Take Back Your Life.” The duo will join a stellar lineup of women speakers on October 30th. ”Take Back Your Life – Mind, Body and Soul” retreat series is dedicated to supporting women in the five most important areas of their lives – spirituality, personal balance, health and fitness, career and finance, and relationships. It will be held at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park. Jones, once hailed as the “fastest woman on the planet” but was jailed for six months after admitting to taking steroids before the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics, will be the featured as the luncheon speaker. She will be sharing her experiences in prison, her struggle to find her real self, and her reinvention through WNBA. She is also set to discuss her new book “On the Right Track,” and will autograph copies of the tome immediately after the session. Matt McGill, of the “Matt & Perri Show” on WVON will interview her about her life after her prison sentence. Khan will be sharing her musical and personal experiences, as highlighted in her autobiography “Chaka! Through the Fire.” Monique Caradine of “Perspectives on My50 TV” will interview her. The revelatory interview will be followed by a musical tribute from Terisa Griffin and other Chicago powerhouse vocalists. “Take Back Your Life” will also feature presenters Rev. Jacquie Hood Martin (author of “Fulfilled: The Art and Joy of Balanced Living”) Amy Hilliard (founder and CEO of The Comfort Cake), and Cheryl Pearson McNeil (Senior VP of public affairs and government relations of The Nielsen Company). Tickets are priced at $50 for Black Card Holders and past attendees of “Take Back Your Life” events.