Chaka Khan drops feud with Kanye West over sampling her song Through the Wire

Kanye West has a long and well-documented list of people he has had beef with, ranging from Taylor Swift and Cardi B to Drake and Nicki Minaj. In a recent interview, however, the legendary musician stated that he had second thoughts about keeping a grudge against the New Body rapper. Chaka Khan announced the end of her feud with West. 

What is the Chaka Khan-Kanye West controversy? 

When West first released Through the Wire in 2004, Khan's 1984 song was sampled for it. The R&B singer said that it was her son who persuaded her to approve the sample and West never discussed how he plans to use the song for his track. In 2020, she called it an "insult" and said she was "upset about sounding like a chipmunk" in the new song, as he never stated he was going to change the pitch.

However, Khan's perspective on the matter has changed with time. The R&B singer admitted that she had no idea how samples are frequently modified in the Hip Hop genre to suit the demands and aesthetic of the songs. In a conversation with Rolling Stone, Khan admitted she has finally dropped her one-sided feud with West. 

The singer said, “That was my fault, too, for feeling salty about that in any way. If I understood the rap game more completely, like I do now, then that wouldn't have been a big deal to me.” When asked about her current feelings about the conflict, Khan said, “I'm done. Please. I'm not hanging on to any silly grudges.” 

Through the Wire on charts

Khan released Through the Wire in the 1980s, which peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 and enjoyed moderate success. On the other hand, West’s debut single as a solo artist was a meditation on a car accident that almost claimed his life. Through the Wire, which is highly praised for its emotional production and intimate lyrics, peaked at No. 15 on the same chart.

Recently, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame presented Khan with the Musical Excellence Award. She is a chart-topping artist and a ten-time Grammy winner. Along with launching a new fragrance, she is currently touring to commemorate 50 years in the recording business.