Sodajerker On Songwriting Episode 323 - Chaka Khan
Sep 21, 2026
Chaka Khan, the Grammy-winning powerhouse and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, discusses her new Godzilla-inspired dance-pop album, Shaxzilla. She recalls creating songs with Sia and Greg Kurstin, writing poetry for Prince, and receiving “Ain’t Nobody” nearly complete. She also explores jazz, rhythm, vocal arranging, fearless studio experimentation, and making every song unmistakably her own.
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Chaka Khan Turned Godzilla Nostalgia Into Chakzilla
- Chaka Khan created Chakzilla to combine her identity with the Godzilla films she loved growing up.
- She wanted the album’s artwork to restore the excitement of large posters that fans once displayed on their walls.
Sia Understood Chaka Khan Through Her Music
- Sia’s songwriting connects because she grew up listening to Chaka Khan and understands her emotional perspective.
- Their collaboration worked through mutual instinct rather than assigned roles, with both artists naturally fitting into the arrangement.
Chaka Khan Wants Ballads With Strength
- Chaka Khan rejects ballads built around whining, weakness, or predictable heartbreak.
- She prefers vulnerable songs whose chords, lyrics, and performances communicate strength, as “Through the Fire” does.