ILOSM family, we’re sending some uplifting energy Chaka Khan’s way right now, because according to many concert goers, who attended her show Saturday night (3/17/18), something just ain’t right with her. Chaka performed at Jazz At The Gardens in Miami and many now believe she was very high on something. What that is exactly? They do not know, but what they do know, is that the soul legend seemed “disoriented,” as one concert attendee stated. Several other fans also pointed out that the 64 year old singer couldn’t remember the lyrics to her songs and that her words were slurred for much of the show. Her background singers sang much of the songs for her, according to fans who were there looking on in disbelief.
Sadly, things got so bad for Chaka during her show, that many fans got fed up and just walked out after a while, as she was still on stage performing with her band.
https://twitter.com/Smackurbanradio/status/975509797599498241
Fans Vent & Voice Concern After Walking Outta Chaka’s Show
Fans took to social media to voice their frustration and/or concern for Chaka, following her unfortunate performance and public display.
https://twitter.com/cynthia33324663/status/975256027447939075
https://twitter.com/FeleciaPoitier/status/975219489733259264
She just keeps humming the words to this one song and then the poor background singers have to fill in for her. She puts the mic down and just looks at them singing. As if to say, “I use to do that once.” #ChakaKhan
— Dee Windt (@BecomingShani) March 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/BlackSoulFood/status/975462492834029569
https://twitter.com/billboardcritic/status/975209948639526912
https://twitter.com/billboardcritic/status/975205731875082240
I was SO looking forward to seeing #ChakaKhan. I was completely disappointed!! She was clearly under the influence of something. https://t.co/dqhicN7S42
— Andrea Watson (@AD_Watson) March 18, 2018
One of my favs “Sweet Thing” she just ruined it for me. If it wasn’t for the background singer I wouldn’t want to hear the Mary version either #ChakaKhan
— Dee Windt (@BecomingShani) March 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/Chevon/status/975223971007344640
https://twitter.com/BlackSoulFood/status/975411346450845696
At this point, it’s unclear if Chaka was just very ill, or very high. But of course the popular assumption among many is the latter, given Chaka’s past decades long drug addiction struggles.
Chaka’s Public Battles With Drug Addiction
It was just in July 2016, that Chaka confirmed that had to enter a drug rehab program. At that time, Chaka also admitted that following the death of her good friend, Prince -who died on April 21, 2016, from an overdose of the opioid prescription pain med, fentanyl- she feared that would be her same fate. That fear prompted her to get help. Chaka had released a statement through The Associated Press, at that time…
Via Associated Press (July 2016): Chaka Khan and her sister…entered a drug rehabilitation program to battle their addictions to prescription drugs, and Khan says the death of her good friend Prince helped hasten her decision to get help. In a statement released to The Associated Press…the…Grammy-winning singer said she has been battling an addiction to the same medication that led to Prince’s death. […] “It’s vital that I put my health and well-being first, [Khan said]. I know that I am disappointing some of my fans, but I also know they would want me to recover and be well and healthy.” […] Khan…entered an intensive rehabilitation and aftercare program with sister, Yvonne Stevens, also known as Taka Boom. Khan said the pair “agreed we would take this journey together and support each other through the recovery.
Unfortunately, Chaka’s 2016 rehab stay was her second one in two years. The thing we respect about Chaka though, is that she has always kept it real about her drug abuse past AND present. Prior to her 2016 rehab stint, Chaka appeared on “The Wendy Williams Show,” in 2014, and revealed that she was fresh out of rehab at that time. Chaka told Wendy that she has “no regrets” about her drug past, because she wouldn’t have learned to be who she is today, without falling and getting back up as a stronger person. She also revealed that she and actress, Lindsay Lohan, were in there together and had become pretty cool with each other, as they both tried to shake their habits.
https://youtu.be/OQdo1hOJfdg?t=3m3s
The early 1970’s is when Chaka’s addiction began and in her book, “Through The Fire,” she revealed that’s when singer, Etta James -who was by then very addicted to heroin- tried to warn her NOT to do drugs, by using herself as an example:
Chaka wrote: “[Etta James] said to me, ‘Whatever you do, if you wanna be in this business…’ showing me the tracks on her arm,… ‘do not do this.’ I said, ‘Oh my God! Don’t worry, I won’t.’ And I didn’t. I snorted heroin for a good 10 years and I did cocaine, but I never injected.”
We sincerely wish Chaka Khan the best with whatever she’s going through at this time.
