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Home • 2017 ESSENCE Festival

17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By

Happy Birthday Chaka!
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
Chaka Khan
By Rachaell Davis · Updated October 26, 2020
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A true diva to the core and one of the most influential songstresses to ever pick up a mic, 2017 ESSENCE Festival performer Chaka Khan is the best of the best.

ESSENCE Festival 2017 ticket packages are on sale now! For more info about tickets, accommodations and the latest news, visit our Festival page here.

As we continue our celebration of Women’s History Month and pay tribute to the entertainment icon as she embraces another year of life, here are 17 unfiltered, empowering quotes of hers that will get you through any situation.

01
Chaka Khan

Singing legend Chaka Khan, who’s known as the Queen of Funk, celebrates her birthday on March 23.

17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
02
Chaka Khan
“If I popped everyone who called me a diva, I’d be in prison for the rest of my life.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
03
Chaka Khan
”People become chronically preoccupied with competing and don’t know when to stop. It can become unhealthy.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
04
Chaka Khan
“You can’t argue with the universe; it’s not about that. It’s more about relaxing and knowing you can handle it and feeling empowered.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
05
Chaka Khan
“We also need to learn how to love one another as women. How to appreciate and respect each other.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
06
Chaka Khan
“I control my life and I have never let success run away with me. I’ve taken it and ran.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
07
Chaka Khan
”The only thing that could threaten my stability is me. I’m my only threat and my own worst enemy.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
08
Chaka Khan
”It’s time for those of us who have a voice to speak out for life, for love and for justice using the same media we’ve used throughout our careers.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
09
Chaka Khan
“Walking through this life is really walking through fire.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
10
Chaka Khan
“My philosophy is familiarity breeds contempt.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
11
Chaka Khan
“Your moment of clarity comes when you face your fears.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
12
Chaka Khan
“I never thought I’d feel this way but, the older I get, the better I feel.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
13
Chaka Khan
“Just be the best you can be. Never settle. Always strive to learn more, do more and be more.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
14
Chaka Khan
“As you get older, you realize there are fire extinguishers. You do have an ability to control the flames.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
15
Chaka Khan
“I’m a woman and I’m a backbone. Everybody needs one.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
16
Chaka Khan
“I can only give what I have. And when I receive, I give it back.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By
17
Chaka Khan
““People ask me a lot, ‘Do you have any regrets?’ Heeeck naw. If I hadn’t done all the things I’d done, I wouldn’t be the amazing human being I am today.”
17 Badass Chaka Khan Quotes Every Woman Should Live By