Following a brief hiatus last month for vocal rest, Chaka Khan has fully resumed her performance obligations and is set to appear in her hometown of Chicago this weekend in honor of the unveiling of her very own street, Chaka Khan Way.
The commemorative celebration adds to list of events honoring the 60-year-old?s 40th anniversary of her illustrious entertainment career, which includes the release of her highly anticipated opus, ?The iKhan Project.?
The Huffington Post caught up with the funk/R&B powerhouse as she discussed her celebratory homecoming, in addition to her stance on boycotting Florida?s Stand Your Ground law, and stopping gun violence in Chicago.
How does it feel to have your very own street named after you?
I feel like, now I?ve finally made it [Laughs], It?s a big thing. Especially for a city like Chicago wanting to name a street after me. I think it?s really, really special to me.
Early last month you were on hiatus due to vocal rest. How are you currently feeling?
It was just my voice. My voice doctor had said that I was working too much. He said, 'just take a rest for a minute.' So I did. And I?m so much better?we started to book my gigs with a little more compassion. I?m not working three or four nights in a row anymore.
What?s the latest status of your new album, ?The iKhan Project??
We?re just about finished. I have to go in and redo some vocals. That?s about it. It won?t be long. And it?s so good. It?s worth the wait.
Last year you recorded a musical tribute in memory of Trayvon Martin. What are your thoughts on the controversy surrounding George Zimmerman?s trial and race relations in America?
Well the trial, number one was a travesty. Racism is still very much alive and well in this country. It has gone to more of a cerebral state. But it?s alive and well. The new slavery is keeping black men in jail.
Are you planning on participating in any additional tributes or projects in honor of Trayvon?
Well I am boycotting Florida. I had a booking there last week and I cancelled it. But if any tribute comes up I?ll do it. Absolutely.
In addition to the trial making headlines, your hometown of Chicago is also in the news for its recent string of gun violence. What?s your assessment on the situation?
It?s insane. These kids are using gangs as a rite of passage. If we were still living in villages it would be very different. But it?s like a pseudo rite of passage, which is very sad. As a matter of fact I?m going to be over at Jesse Jackson?s place on Saturday morning. We?re having a rally addressing the violence in Chicago.
How would you compare Chicago?s youth today to your experience growing up in the city?
Well, these kids have nothing else to do. I remember growing up there when we had after school community centers. I think that would be a big help. The sad thing is that this is America. In all of America these kids have nothing to do after school, if they go to school. And if they don?t, I can?t really blame them. The school system sucks. So there?s a lot of work that needs to be done. And I plan on being hands on with it.
Everyone should be of service in some way. There?s a reason for being here. We?re here fundamentally on this planet right now to be of assistance to one another. And it doesn?t matter whether you help a lot of people or one person. I?m lucky that I can affect many people at one time as opposed to someone who works in the bank.
Chaka Khan?s new album, ?The iKhan Project,? is slated to hit stores and digital retailers later this year.
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BET Awards '12 - Arrivals
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 01: Recording artist Chaka Khan attends the BET Awards '12 at The Shrine Auditorium on July 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
2012 BET Awards - Red Carpet
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 01: Singer Chaka Khan arrives at the 2012 BET Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on July 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)
2012 BET Awards - Show
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 01: Singer Chaka Khan performs onstage during the 2012 BET Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on July 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)
2012 BET Awards - Show
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 01: Singer Chaka Khan performs onstage during the 2012 BET Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on July 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)
UNCF Hosts The 34th Annual An Evening Of Stars - Show
PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 01: Singer Chaka Khan performs onstage during UNCF's 34th annual An Evening Of Stars held at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on December 1, 2012 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)
BET Honors 2013: Show
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Chaka Khan, and Erykah Badu attend BET Honors 2013 at Warner Theatre on January 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)
2012 BET Awards - Radio Room - Day 1
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 29: Singer Chaka Khan attends day 1 of the 2012 BET Awards Radio Room held at The Shrine Auditorium on June 29, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images For BET)
BET Honors 2013: Show
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Chaka Khan onstage at BET Honors 2013 at Warner Theatre on January 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for BET)
BET Honors 2013: Show
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Chaka Khan attends BET Honors 2013 at Warner Theatre on January 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for BET)
Yamaha's 125th Anniversary Dealer Concert
ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 25: Chaka Khan celebrating Yamaha's 125th Anniversary Live Around the World Dealer Concert performs at the Hyperion Theater on January 25, 2013 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Yamaha)
Chaka Khan's Birthday Party
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 26: Singer Chaka Khan attends her birthday party on March 26, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Chaka Khan's Birthday Party
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 26: Singer Chaka Khan attends her birthday party on March 26, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Chaka Khan's Birthday Party
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 26: Singer Chaka Khan attends Chaka Khan's Birthday Party on March 26, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
BET Networks 2013 Los Angeles Upfront
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - APRIL 02: Chaka Khan performs during BET Networks 2013 Los Angeles Upfront at Montage Beverly Hills on April 2, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET)
BET Networks 2013 New York Upfront
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Singer Chaka Khan performs onstage at the BET Networks 2013 New York Upfront on April 16, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for BET)
BET Networks 2013 New York Upfront
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Singer Chaka Khan attends the BET Networks 2013 New York Upfront on April 16, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for BET)
BET Networks 2013 New York Upfront
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Singer Chaka Khan attends the BET Networks 2013 New York Upfront on April 16, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for BET)
Chaka Khan
Actress Chaka Khan attends the 2013 Apollo Spring Gala, on Monday, June 10, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Donald Traill/Invision/AP)
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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/26/chaka-khan-boycotts-florida-hometown-celebration-ending-chicago-gun-violence_n_3659883.html
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