Chaka Khan says singers who use auto-tune should get a job at the post office instead
Topics: Music, Technology, Celebrity
Stewart Perrie
Featured Image Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Alamy Stock Photo. Francesca Moore / Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: Music, Technology, Celebrity
Chaka Kkan has ripped into today's musicians for using auto-tune.
There's no denying the 'I'm Every Woman' legend has some stellar pipes and she believes that should be the basic skill for getting into the industry.
The 69-year-old has been impressed by some of the artists who have been releasing music that showcases their talent.
Speaking to Page Six, she said: "There is some great stuff out there and there are some great artists.
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"There's some very fine young artists out there doing great, great work that I am impressed with.
However, for those who rely on technology to make them sound better, Khan is really not impressed.
"They just need to get them a job at the Post Office — they are always hiring! People are using Auto-Tune. They need to get to the Post Office quick," she said.
Khan added: "I feel very sad. It saddens me deeply that so much… insecurity is present in these girls. They really need to know that they are the gold and that they really are precious."
Auto tune has been around since the mid-'90s and was invented by Antares Audio Technologies.
The technology was on everyone's lips after the legendary Cher decided to use it for her song 'Believe'.
What followed was loads of artists manipulating auto-tune to help them achieve either a perfect voice or something more artistic.
Kanye West, for example, used the technology extensively in his album 808s and Heartbreaks.
However, don't get Chaka Khan started on Ye.
She also took issue with his breakout song 'Through the Wire'.
He sampled her track 'Through the Fire' for his debut, however Khan's voice was warped in the final product.
"I've not heard from him, and I'm not looking to hear from him," she explained to Page Six.
"I was upset about sounding like a chipmunk, 'cause he didn't put that when he asked [if he could] sample my song.
"He didn't mention he was going to speed it up three times its normal speed.
"Had he, I would've had something to say. But since I didn't think of that, believe me, I think of it now. [When someone asks to sample my music] I ask, 'How are we gonna do this?'"