Chaka Khan Shares Her Biggest Life Lessons Ahead of Turning 70 (Exclusive)

etonline.com:

Chaka Khan. After a remarkable career that has spanned five decades, the Queen of Funk has earned her rightful place to dish a hefty serving ahead of celebrating a milestone birthday.The 10-time GRAMMY winner invited ET to her plush home in Santa Monica, California, and opened up about turning 70 in March, the same month the legendary record producer-songwriter and collaborator Quincy Jones turns 90 (yes, she's excited they're both Pisces!).

Khan also offered insight into some of her upcoming projects, including one with the great Joni Mitchell.That she's worked with some of music's biggest legends — past and present — is a testament to her unparalleled work ethic over the last 50 years in the business, pumping out instant classics like «I'm Every Woman» and «Through the Fire.»With such hits, it's easy to see why she's earned the Queen of Funk title, a moniker she hasn't fully embraced all these years later.«I guess it's a great handle, you know?» Khan tells ET. «There are [worst titles]!

Absolutely. Look, I'd rather not be boxed into one aspect of music though.»And she's not.Khan's been a magnificent talent in at least seven genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel and classical.«I've done everything but kick myself in the back of the head,» she quips. «The only thing left to do, I mean, really, I feel like I've done a great deal.

I'm wondering, you know, what's next [laughs]?»To this day, she still marvels at the thought of looking out at the crowd and seeing her influence transcend generations.«I've got five generations in any given audience,» she says. «Five generations of people, and I think that's significant.»Khan currently has several projects in the works, but she beams when speaking about working with.