Chaka Khan apologizes for blasting Rolling Stone, Mariah, Adele: ‘I took the bait’

Chaka Khan didn’t mean to “cause pain or upset anyone” after slamming “the world’s greatest singers” per Rolling Stone.

“Recently, I was asked about a list of the ‘greatest singers of all time’ and instead of questioning the need for such a list, I was pitted against other artists and I took the bait,” the music legend wrote on Instagram Sunday.

“As artists, we are unfairly put into ‘boxes,’ ‘categories’ or on ‘lists.’ Being an artist or musician is not a competition. It’s a gift, for which I am truly grateful.”

The 69-year-old went on to “sincerely apologize” to anyone who took offense to her remarks, saying she remains dedicated to “empowering others.”

Chaka Khan singing.
“Being an artist or musician is not a competition,” the icon admitted.
Getty Images for Gabrielle’s Ang

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“Empowering all artists is most important because we truly are the architects of change…and change begins within the heart,” she concluded the post. “I love you all and God bless – Chaka.”

The apology came nearly one week after the “Ain’t Nobody” singer called the magazine’s editors “blind bitches” who “need hearing aids” for ranking her at No. 29 on “The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time” list.

“They are blind as a motherf–king bat!” she told Andrew Goldman on his “Originals” podcast. “They need hearing aids … These must be the children of Helen Keller!”

Khan — who ranked below artists such as Adele, Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey — went on critique the artists deemed better than her.

Mariah Carey in white being carried.
The singer joked that Mariah Carey must have bribed the magazine to get a higher ranking.
Jeff Kravitz

In response to Carey coming in at No. 5, Khan jokingly alleged, “That must be payola or some s–t like that.” 

She was equally stunned to learn Adele was ranked at No. 22, throwing her hands in the air, saying, “OK, I quit.”

While she couldn’t believe some of the people that beat her out, the 10-time Grammy winner did praise artists such as Beyoncé and Aretha Franklin, who topped the list at No. 1.

“As she f–king should be,” Khan said of Franklin. “Thank you, there’s justice somewhere!”

Chaka Khan in an orange dress sitting down.
During the rant, Khan did, however, praise artists like Aretha Franklin.
Instagram/chakakhan

Khan has become known for her candid takes on the new generation of music, previously telling Page Six singers who need to use Auto-tune simply shouldn’t sing at all.

“There is some great stuff out there and there are some great artists,” the legendary diva told us last year. “There’s some very fine young artists out there doing great great work that I am impressed with.”

“But the others, they just need to get them a job at the Post Office — they are always hiring!,” she added, “People are using Auto-tune. They need to get to the Post Office quick.”

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