Best of full interview: Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle & Chaka Khan Talk Longevity, 'Diva' Stigma, Industry Standards + More

Summary

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The Breakfast Club – Best of Full Interview: Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle & Chaka Khan

Airdate: January 1, 2026 | iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

This powerhouse episode of The Breakfast Club brings together three icons of soul, R&B, and funk—Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, and Chaka Khan. The conversation, led by hosts DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne tha God, dives into the "Queen Tour" uniting these legends, their industry journeys, overcoming beauty standards and stigma, creative integrity, longevity, and the legacy they’re building for future generations. Lively, insightful, and full of sisterly banter, the discussion is a celebration of Black women in music and their impact on culture.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Queen Tour: Making It Happen

• How the Tour Came Together
  • Stephanie Mills: “I just think it wasn’t the right time … this is definitely the right time.” (04:20)
  • Chaka Khan underscores the tour’s uniqueness: “This was going to be a one-off ever in life … for the people who grew up listening to our song … that was what compelled me.” (06:37)
• Show Structure & Setlist
  • Patti LaBelle: “It’s about two hours long … we have quick, quick moments, 50 minutes apiece.” (04:40)
  • Stephanie clarifies lineup: “Gladys opens, I come on second, and then Ms. Patty … Shaka closes.” (04:57)
• Egos and Camaraderie
  • Patti LaBelle: “No, I haven’t seen anything … God is the only ego.” (05:32–05:40)
  • “We have fun watching each other and doing each other … giving love … we are all different people. We do what we do individually.” (06:12–06:19)

2. Generational Impact & Audience Diversity

• The artists reflect on seeing multiple generations at their shows:
  • Shaka Khan: “I get it all the time, you know, kids saying I was weaned on you.” (07:18)
  • Stephanie Mills: “They made children on our music. People had babies on our music.” (07:27)

3. Defying ‘Diva’ Stereotypes and Embracing Authenticity

• On the “Diva” Label
  • Patti LaBelle: “I’m not a diva. I ain’t looking, because divas are the ones who demand … I’m not that girl. And neither is Shaka. And baby girl [Stephanie] never will be. We just sing.” (11:54)
  • Chaka Khan: “I’m an artist. That’s what I am.” (12:10)
• On Live Performance Integrity
  • Stephanie Mills: “Because we have a real band. Nothing’s taped. Our microphones are on.” (09:34)
  • Shaka Khan: “We are actually singing … when you go up there, you should represent yourself, honestly.” (09:39, 09:52)

4. Battling Industry Beauty and Colorism Standards

• Stephanie Mills discusses overcoming colorism:
  • “I was always told, you know, dark girls don’t … people are not going to promote dark girls or anything. So I was always working against that.” (13:56)
• Patti LaBelle on rhinoplasty and industry pressure:
  • “I had an issue also with my being a Black woman with a big nose … I tried it. I did.” (14:23)
• Back-and-forth about cosmetic surgery:
  • Stephanie Mills: “Michael [Jackson] took me to the [nose job] doc.” (16:38)
  • Chaka Khan jokes about her natural features and passing on cosmetic trends: “My whole life … now in the ‘60s, the ‘70s, I have the same behind I’ve always had … they look like ants.” (15:38–16:02)
• On changing standards:
  • Stephanie Mills: “They wanted you to look a certain way. I’ve always been told I should sing pop songs, but what is pop songs but popular? … I just stayed true to who I was.” (17:54, 18:00)

5. Overcoming Criticism and Channeling it into Strength

• Stephanie Mills: “People that are not nice to me … inspire me to be even better. It makes me stronger because I have a strong will … I just don’t let it—let it wash off me.” (36:05)
• Patti LaBelle: “Anytime someone says something negative about me, it pushed me forward … let them keep talking. It makes you popular.” (36:43–36:48)
• Chaka Khan: “I don’t get much criticism, but—[on negative feedback]—I’m not talking about that.” (37:04, 37:19)

6. Creative Freedom, Ownership, and Industry Evolution

• On Sampling & Legacy
  • Chaka Khan: “Once I understood hip hop and the way they would take a song … I really apologized because I just didn’t understand … My son told me [to embrace it].” (37:44, 38:24)
  • Stephanie Mills: “I love it. I have a good time with it, and I do get my checks.” (39:10)
• Business Acumen & Independence
  • Stephanie Mills: “I’ve always been … like a sponge … I never wanted to be one of those artists that wound up with no money … I was always covered in some way and lived a certain way.” (39:40)
  • “Now in the last 10 years, absolutely [made more money].” (41:14)
  • “I think it’s better for artists to be independent … record companies are just a marketing company. Why should they take half your money?” (40:24)
• Patti LaBelle: “I think women are getting more play these days … you have to know your worth … and know that whoever’s doing business with you, they are safe, which is hard to find.” (41:39)
• Chaka Khan on creative control: “Prince and I went through a really big fight ... about how crooked they were. Finally I’m in a good place where I own everything of mine. You have to come through me first.” (42:41)

7. Supporting the Next Generation

• Patti LaBelle on mentoring: “Calls from Jennifer Hudson … when she was doing ‘Respect’ … we plan to do things together. But they do call and get information. We could let them know that you might have to go through this.” (35:22)
• The icons share love for younger artists:
  • Stephanie Mills: “I love Jasmine Sullivan, Selena Johnson, Layla Hathaway … I listen to Ashford and Simpson to get ready for my shows.” (31:52)
  • Chaka Khan: “I really like H.E.R. … closest thing to Prince I’ve met so far.” (32:34–32:46)
  • Patti LaBelle: “Coco Jones … she sings her face off. There are so many young girls who are singing.” (32:51–32:58)

8. Legacy, Sisterhood & Closing Messages

• On unity and respect:
  • Patti LaBelle: “Unity and that we respect each other.” (44:31)
  • Stephanie Mills: “Love, peace.” (44:36)
  • Chaka Khan: “We’ve been talking about this for years … here’s our chance … I love you so much.” (44:42–44:52)
• Fondness for Ms. Gladys Knight:
  • Chaka Khan: “Kudos and love to Gladys … this may be the last time we ever see her on stage.” (45:51, 45:56)
• Sisterly banter:
  • Chaka Khan marvels at Patti’s quick wardrobe changes: “Within less than three minutes time, she had a totally freaking fracked different outfit on.” (45:32)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Egos:
  “God is the only ego.”
  — Stephanie Mills (05:38)

• On Sisterhood:
  “We have fun watching each other and doing each other … giving love … we are all different people. We do what we do individually.”
  — Patti LaBelle & Chaka Khan (06:12–06:19)

• On Resilience:
  “People that are not nice to me … inspire me to be even better.”
  — Stephanie Mills (36:05)

• On Industry Lessons:
  “It’s not how well you live, it’s how long you live.”
  — Stephanie Mills (40:12)

• On Authentic Performance:
  “Because we have a real band. Nothing’s taped. Our microphones are on. We are actually singing.”
  — Stephanie Mills & Shaka Khan (09:34, 09:39)

• On Legacy & Respect:
  “Unity and that we respect each other.”
  — Patti LaBelle (44:31)

• On Business Independence:
  “You have to know your worth and you have to be willing to say no … all money ain’t good money.”
  — Patti LaBelle & Stephanie Mills (42:01)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:43] – Icons Introduced: Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle & Chaka Khan join
• [04:10] – The Queen Tour and its timing
• [05:32] – Discussion on egos and collaboration
• [07:12] – Generational impact and diverse fanbase
• [09:32] – Authentic live performance and industry comparison
• [11:54] – The “diva” label
• [13:56] – Colorism and staying true to self
• [15:38] – Cosmetic surgery pressures, natural beauty
• [17:54] – Pop vs. R&B and audience loyalty
• [29:22] – Essence Fest controversy and speaking up
• [31:52] – Admiration for contemporary artists
• [35:22] – Mentorship in the industry
• [39:40] – Business lessons and financial independence
• [44:31] – Closing messages: Unity, love, and respect

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Tone, Style, and Final Takeaways

With humor, candor, and the wisdom of lived experience, Mills, LaBelle, and Khan speak honestly about the beauty and brutality of the music industry, the importance of owning your craft, and the lifelong bonds forged with other Black women artists. Their message is clear: authenticity, unity, and self-respect are the true markers of enduring success.

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For listeners:
This episode is a masterclass in grace, grit, and greatness—a must-hear for anyone invested in music, representation, and the legacy of Black women in entertainment.

Transcript

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[DJ Envy]

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[Shaka Khan]

The kids didn't come home last night.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Along the Central Texas plains, teens are dying.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Suicides that don't make sense, Strange accidents.

[Shaka Khan]

And brutal murders in what seems to.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Be a plot ripped straight out of Breaking Bad.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Drugs, alcohol, trafficking of people.

[Shaka Khan]

There are people out there that absolutely know what happened.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Listen to Paper Ghosts, the Texas Teen murders on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from.

[Charlamagne tha God]

NBA champion Stephen Curry comes Shot Ready.

[Shaka Khan]

A powerful, never before seen look at the mindset that changed the game.

[DJ Envy]

I fell in love with the grind. You have to find joy in the work you do when no one else is around.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Success is not an accident.

[DJ Envy]

I'm passing the ball to you. Let's go.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Steph Curry redefined basketball.

[Shaka Khan]

Now he's rewriting what it means to succeed. Order your copy of the New York Times bestseller Shot ready [e-mail] hi, I'm Danny Shapiro.

[Charlamagne tha God]

We were in the car like a Rolling Stone came on and he said, there's a line in there about your mother.

[DJ Envy]

And I said, what?

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

What I would do if I didn't feel like I was being accepted is.

[DJ Envy]

Choose an identity that other people can't have.

[Host/Announcer]

I knew something had happened to me in the middle of the night, but I couldn't hold on to what had happened.

[Shaka Khan]

These are just a few of the moving and important stories on my 13th season of family Secrets. Listen to Family secrets on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Patti LaBelle]

Welcome to Decoding Women's Health. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Poynter, Chair of women's health and gynecology at the Atria Health Institute in New York City. I'll be talking to top researchers and clinicians and bringing vital information about midlife women's health directly to you. 100% of women go through menopause.

[Stephanie Mills]

Even if it's natural, why should we suffer through it?

[Patti LaBelle]

Listen to Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynter on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Shaka Khan]

Hold up.

[DJ Envy]

Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. Y' all finished or y' all done?

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlamagne tha God. We are the breakfast club. Lauren LaRosa is here with us as well, and we got a special guest in the building.

[DJ Envy]

No, these are icons.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

These are some icons.

[DJ Envy]

I think legend is even an understatement. Okay, I, I, I can only think of three. One word queens.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Yes, queens.

[DJ Envy]

And another word icons. That's it.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

But there you have it. We have Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, and Chaka Khan. Welcome.

[DJ Envy]

Come on now. Welcome.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

How are y' all feeling? Y' all look amazing.

[Stephanie Mills]

Thank you.

[Patti LaBelle]

We're happy to be here.

[Stephanie Mills]

We are. We're happy to be here.

[Patti LaBelle]

Good morning.

[DJ Envy]

Now y' all are on the Queen Store. Why couldn't this have happened decades ago? Like, decades ago? Why couldn't people put this together?

[Shaka Khan]

Wasn't old enough.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Weren't old enough?

[Stephanie Mills]

No, I just think it wasn't the right time. I think this is definitely the right time. And Patty and Gladys and I have worked together, and I've always wanted to work with Shaka. So they came together and put it together, and I was like, yes, let's do it.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Is there enough time for a show to happen? Y' all have so many hits, so many records. How long is the show? How long is this, the concert?

[Patti LaBelle]

It's about two hours long.

[Stephanie Mills]

It's not long.

[Patti LaBelle]

We have quick, quick moments. We have, like, 50 minutes a piece, and you can hardly say hello and good night with that. But that's what we do.

[DJ Envy]

How do y' all decide who closes. Though. I feel like that might have been a little debate on who closes.

[Stephanie Mills]

Shaka closes.

[DJ Envy]

Okay.

[Stephanie Mills]

Gladys opens. I come on second. And then Ms. Patty.

[Patti LaBelle]

Patty comes in, comes up.

[Shaka Khan]

Patty.

[Patti LaBelle]

I like to open the show, but.

[Shaka Khan]

Actually.

[Patti LaBelle]

Doing right.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, that's why you like to open the show. Okay.

[Patti LaBelle]

Leave. Honey.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Mills]

Eat some cookies.

[Patti LaBelle]

Some cookies.

[DJ Envy]

At this stage in your careers, is it harder or easier to navigate? I guess ego would be the right word. Are they. Are there any egos?

[Patti LaBelle]

No, I haven't seen anything. A lot of ego.

[Stephanie Mills]

God is the only ego.

[Shaka Khan]

The oldest one. Yeah.

[Host/Announcer]

Ms. Shak, you said you guys weren't old enough to do this as a joke. Okay.

[Shaka Khan]

No, I mean.

[Host/Announcer]

Cuz when you mentioned God is the only ego, I didn't know if it was like you were saying that you had to get to a point where that's something that you realize in the industry. Cuz you deal with so many egos navigating.

[Shaka Khan]

I still am. It never stops. Life never stops.

[Host/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Is there any friendly competition?

[Shaka Khan]

No, because.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

No, not at all.

[Patti LaBelle]

Not at all.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Just do your second.

[Stephanie Mills]

We just do our thing. Yeah.

[Patti LaBelle]

We have fun watching each other and doing each other.

[Shaka Khan]

Giving love.

[Patti LaBelle]

We got to keep on giving our own rights.

[Shaka Khan]

We are all different people. We do what we do. We do individually. Yes.

[DJ Envy]

So how does this all come together? Because I know it's hard to get any of y' all to want to do something. Especially you know, because y' all got great lives already schedules, so to say we're going to tour as a collective. Like what?

[Shaka Khan]

Well, the whole thing with me was that I felt that this was going to be a one off ever in life.

[DJ Envy]

Like one for some of us.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Okay.

[Shaka Khan]

Some of us, you know, we weren't going to get the chance to be able to be seen together on one stage in one night for all of us collectively. So. And when I realized the importance of that for the people who grew up listening to our song Baby to a weaned on us, a carnal, I think it made a big difference. And it was, you know, that's. That was, that was what compel me, you know.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Were you ever surprised about the. The ages of people that come to the show because it varies from young teens?

[Shaka Khan]

No, I expected that. I did because I get it all the time, you know, kids saying I was weaned on you.

[Patti LaBelle]

Right.

[Shaka Khan]

You know, so.

[Stephanie Mills]

They made children on. On our music. People had babies on our music.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

So when you have those young individuals in the show, let's say they, they're 2122, and they trying to holler at y'.

[Patti LaBelle]

All.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Does that feel like I still got it?

[Stephanie Mills]

No. I don't get nobody.

[DJ Envy]

Why are you talking like that?

[Host/Announcer]

Young boy trying to come at you.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Look so beautiful.

[DJ Envy]

Young boys hollering at them like, damn, Don't I?

[Shaka Khan]

No. Young boy.

[DJ Envy]

Tell them, miss Mill.

[Stephanie Mills]

I don't. I want him mature and older, but.

[DJ Envy]

The problem with them is they want the young girls. Why? I don't know. Especially when y' all look like this.

[Shaka Khan]

What?

[DJ Envy]

You want a 20 y old girl? You don't even know how to wipe.

[Stephanie Mills]

Because we want to show them that this is how you age gracefully.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

That's right.

[Stephanie Mills]

And you could still do your thing. That's. We're all beautiful.

[DJ Envy]

What do y' all have a routine to, like, keep your voice strong and your body ready after sleep?

[Stephanie Mills]

I. I sing. I sing every day, and I work about six days a week. Yeah.

[Patti LaBelle]

I mean, I don't sing every day.

[Stephanie Mills]

She don't sing every day. But she keeps it together because you'll be hitting those high notes.

[Patti LaBelle]

Thanks you. Thank you, honey. I do what I do. And at 81, I'm still.

[Shaka Khan]

She's the queen.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

She's the queen.

[Patti LaBelle]

She's my queen. Yes, My babies.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

I still Patty a pull up. I promise I was going to come one Thanksgiving. My kids are a little older now, so that. They're a lot.

[Shaka Khan]

They'll.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

They'll sit in the corner when you tell them to sit in the corner now. So I'm going to pull up one Thanksgiving if I'm still invited.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah, you should.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Okay.

[Stephanie Mills]

We're going to be playing.

[Shaka Khan]

A big place of food.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

That's right.

[Host/Announcer]

Are you cooking for them or at some of the stops?

[Patti LaBelle]

You know, I would.

[Shaka Khan]

I'm not letting her cook for me because.

[Patti LaBelle]

Why?

[Shaka Khan]

Because. Well, not after the tour.

[Patti LaBelle]

At the end.

[Shaka Khan]

She's being good because. Yeah, I'm trying to be good.

[Patti LaBelle]

No, I better not, then. I better not be throwing down.

[DJ Envy]

Do y' all feel like toys? Like, just remind people what a real show is supposed to be?

[Patti LaBelle]

Yes, absolutely.

[Stephanie Mills]

Because we have real band. Nothing's taped. Our microphones are on.

[DJ Envy]

They work.

[Shaka Khan]

We are actually singing.

[Stephanie Mills]

Yes, we are actually singing.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

And do you think fans have the same appreciation for live instrumentation and raw vocals as they did, like, when y' all first hit the stage decades ago?

[Shaka Khan]

I think some of them may not even know the difference. Someone might not even know what the hell's going on, you know? And that's what's unfair and messed up about it, is that when you go up there, you should represent yourself, honestly. You know, you sing in the mic, you know, if you have to have tricks and gags and Googles and stuff like that, you know, do what you got to do. But I'm saying, I'm not about it. I walked on. We walked on the stage many times. Horse can't hit all the notes. That's just the way life is, you know? But you give everything. You give everything. Yes, you got. And that is something that people can definitely. They know, they can feel that.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

What do you think made this. This tour so important? Right? Because seeing so many icons and queens and legends on that stage, you don't get to see that so much. But the fact that we see it with you guys, what makes it so important? And why did you all guys agree.

[Patti LaBelle]

That we as black women represent ourselves the right way? Like Steph said, there's no pretend singing. No. No stuff. Because people have a lot of stuff in their shows. We just go out and sing. No tricks, no tricks.

[Stephanie Mills]

There's nobody flying through the air. None of that. You know, not that. That's not good, but, I mean, we just give shows like we did back in the day, just pure, raw, flat foot, stand there and sing.

[Shaka Khan]

I mean, we come from, like, actually similar but almost the same generational. Our generation levels are like, like that stairs. And it's close, you know, they're close enough yet far enough apart to reach a really big audience, you know, I'm saying, a huge audience, and it's just been the. By the grace of God, they just come together in such a. In such a good way, you know?

[DJ Envy]

You know, I wanted to ask, you know, Mr. LaBelle and Ms. Khan, y' all been labeled divas. I don't know. I've never heard that term for you, Ms. Mills, do y' all look at that as a complimentary term or derogatory?

[Patti LaBelle]

I'll take anything, but I'm not a diva. I ain't looking, you know, because divas are the ones who demand. As far as I'm concerned. I'm not that girl. And neither is shocking. And baby girl never will be. No, we just sing. We give it.

[Shaka Khan]

I mean, we're. I'm an artist. That's what I am. Artist, really.

[DJ Envy]

And I mean, for the status y' all at, y' all shouldn't have to demand anything.

[Shaka Khan]

We don't. We don't have to. We don't have to.

[Patti LaBelle]

We don't and we don't.

[Host/Announcer]

What is it like when the cameras and the lights Are down backstage with y' all or just touring? What are y' all learning from each other on this tour?

[Patti LaBelle]

We don't get a chance to see each other. See each other. We right on, right behind each other.

[DJ Envy]

Stop running on to sleep.

[Patti LaBelle]

Cuz.

[Host/Announcer]

Watching y' all in here.

[Stephanie Mills]

For years.

[Patti LaBelle]

We don't have time. We on, on and off.

[Shaka Khan]

But coming in, when I'm coming in, she's coming off. I see her, I say, I'm going, I'm coming in. She right. Like. Like there was that dog that big, that. That dog that. Watching the sheep. Oh, hey, M. The time card. It's like that we don't really get.

[Patti LaBelle]

A chance to ch.

[Shaka Khan]

Not this, not on. That. We're working, working.

[Patti LaBelle]

We'll talk after the show, and someday.

[Shaka Khan]

This whole thing is over with.

[Patti LaBelle]

Not on tour.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

I always want to know, like, outside of music and touring, what brings you joy outside of that? I'm sure Patty is cooking, but what. What gives you joy? Like, what makes you happy outside of this crazy industry?

[Shaka Khan]

My. My great grandbabies, you know, my family, Stephanie.

[Stephanie Mills]

My son. My son gives me joy. And just being with pops and being with people that I love.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah, your son gives me joy. Watching him watch. He's a lovely boy.

[Stephanie Mills]

He's in the show. He's so cute. He has his little glitter jacket on.

[Shaka Khan]

He's so adorable.

[DJ Envy]

When y' all first started, did any of y' all think y' all would have these long careers that y' all would have had instead still be on tour, still be in demand, still be relevant?

[Patti LaBelle]

I never did.

[Stephanie Mills]

I never did. Because I was always told, you know, dark girls don't. You know, After a while, they were like, oh, people are not going to promote dark girls or anything. So I was always told, no, you can't do it. You do it. So I was always working against that.

[Host/Announcer]

Right?

[Patti LaBelle]

Yes.

[Stephanie Mills]

You know, so I'm surprised because people didn't think I was going to still be here. And it's the 50th year anniversary of the Wizard. 50 years ago, I did the whiz.

[Patti LaBelle]

That's great.

[DJ Envy]

Same thing for you, Ms. Lavelle. You didn't think you was gonna be here?

[Patti LaBelle]

No, I didn't.

[DJ Envy]

Why?

[Patti LaBelle]

Because I had an issue also with my being a black woman with a big nose. And a friend of mine got her nose done, and I said, oh, I think I need to try that. Maybe I'll get one gigs. I tried it. I did.

[Stephanie Mills]

You can say it.

[Shaka Khan]

I don't care.

[Patti LaBelle]

You came to my house.

[Stephanie Mills]

It was me. I Had a nose. I had my nose done in the early 80s, and I had went to her house for dinner and she said.

[Shaka Khan]

What did you do?

[Patti LaBelle]

I said, what happened, girl?

[Stephanie Mills]

And she was like, I'mma get one.

[Patti LaBelle]

And I did. Right after I saw Stephanie.

[DJ Envy]

I didn't know you guys. I didn't know neither one of y'.

[Patti LaBelle]

All.

[DJ Envy]

I got nose.

[Patti LaBelle]

I had to.

[Stephanie Mills]

Then she did God best her. She had one, too. Natalie, all of them do it. You know, all them girls do it.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, but y' all don't need it.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Y' all beautiful.

[Shaka Khan]

But that's the only girl. You could not cut me for Nathan.

[Stephanie Mills]

But now I think I look like Shaka. Shaka could be sisters.

[DJ Envy]

So you never had nothing done either?

[Shaka Khan]

Hell, no.

[DJ Envy]

You said you got a bbl.

[Shaka Khan]

What's that?

[DJ Envy]

It's a Brazilian butt lift. But the young girls are doing.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

It's called a Brazilian butt lift.

[Shaka Khan]

How long has my butt been like this? My whole life.

[DJ Envy]

Yes, ma'.

[Shaka Khan]

Am. Now, in the 60s, the 70s, I have the same behind I've always had. Everybody's trying to make their butt look like somebody else's. Within bbls, you call them? No, they look like ants. Somebody's got it natural. Yeah, that's why.

[DJ Envy]

So hold on, Ms. Lebel, when you got the nose job, did you get more gigs? Did it change anything?

[Patti LaBelle]

I think you did.

[Shaka Khan]

Really?

[Patti LaBelle]

Because it was more pleasant of some people. I mean, it was fine with me. But when I saw my girlfriend, I said, I'm gonna try that.

[Stephanie Mills]

And I remember that, too.

[Patti LaBelle]

Oh, so well. And I didn't want to tell people that you were my inspiration because I didn't know if you wanted me to talk about that. Oh, I'm okay, girl. I did.

[Stephanie Mills]

No, I don't care.

[Patti LaBelle]

Well, I'm talking now.

[Shaka Khan]

Yes.

[Patti LaBelle]

Okay. So, yeah, this is my girl. I followed her. Yes, I did.

[DJ Envy]

So who did you find? Did you do. Who did you follow?

[Stephanie Mills]

Michael.

[DJ Envy]

Michael laughed at.

[Stephanie Mills]

Okay, Michael.

[DJ Envy]

So after he got it, that's when you wanted to do it?

[Stephanie Mills]

Yes, I went to the same doctor.

[DJ Envy]

Wow.

[Stephanie Mills]

Michael took me to the shock.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Why your mouth won't be like that.

[Shaka Khan]

You didn't know that. Picked me up. She said I didn't know.

[Stephanie Mills]

Oh, me? Speak louder. Oh, speak louder. Michael. Michael Jackson. Yeah, that's who I followed, Miss.

[DJ Envy]

I mean, that's such an interesting conversation. Because, you know, all of these, everybody's doing it now, right? Thinking that it's going to get them ahead in some way, shape or form, or they just. This is something that's been going On.

[Stephanie Mills]

Yes, it has. That's the only thing I've done something.

[Patti LaBelle]

That people shouldn't be ashamed of if. If they want to do anything to their body or their face. This is all I've ever done. I ain't getting cut nowhere else.

[Stephanie Mills]

No, that's it. And that was early, early 80s.

[Shaka Khan]

Very.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Cuz people get nervous.

[Shaka Khan]

They.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

They say it's addictive. Like, once you get one, then you got to do something else. You got to do something else.

[Stephanie Mills]

I think Michael got a little addictive, you know, But I didn't. I didn't go back.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

He had nose problems. So you didn't have any problem, like. Like, with.

[Stephanie Mills]

You didn't.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Okay, maybe not.

[DJ Envy]

It's just amazing how the. The. The industry standards of beauty have seemed like they've never changed.

[Shaka Khan]

Oh, I love that.

[Patti LaBelle]

That's my baby.

[DJ Envy]

That's amazing. It just seems like the industry standards of beauty have never changed. And it's just kind of heartbreaking to see that even back then, y' all were falling victim to what they thought.

[Stephanie Mills]

Well, they wanted you to look a certain way. I've always been told I should sing pop songs, but what is pop songs but popular?

[DJ Envy]

That's right.

[Stephanie Mills]

You know, and I love my audience, so I just stayed true to who I was and stayed focused on what I wanted to do.

[Patti LaBelle]

Thank you.

[Stephanie Mills]

Patty and.

[Shaka Khan]

And.

[Stephanie Mills]

And Gladys, you know, who has more hits than both all of us.

[Patti LaBelle]

She has a billion hits.

[Host/Announcer]

My girl, Ms. Patti LaBelle.

[Shaka Khan]

Was.

[Host/Announcer]

Was it when you decided that you wanted to get your nose job? I know you said you didn't like your nose personally, but were things being said to you as well?

[Patti LaBelle]

Yes.

[Host/Announcer]

By who and what?

[Patti LaBelle]

By a manager that I had at the time.

[Shaka Khan]

No, no.

[DJ Envy]

Y' all have to listen.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

I mean, her face is hilarious.

[Shaka Khan]

I can't help that.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

That's all good.

[Shaka Khan]

I love it. It's all right.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah. It was a manager that I had back in the day, a white gentleman, and he said so many things to me, but whenever I sang, he said, my God. I said, is it all right if I keep this nose? You know, things like that. He was just mean and where is he?

[DJ Envy]

I slapped the out of him.

[Patti LaBelle]

He's not living now. He's going, bye, bye.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, he's not even going bye bye.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah. So, yeah, you know, so I just said, I'll do it once I saw her. Yeah.

[Stephanie Mills]

You'd be surprised what female artists go through. What we have to go through to even do what we do to today, to have people respect us, to respect our talent. To respect that we're women and we're black women, and it's harder, but you have to demand the respect.

[DJ Envy]

Ms. Khan, you never faced any of those same struggles. You never faced any of those same struggles.

[Shaka Khan]

I don't know if they did. They never told me. They ain't said none to me. No, but I know, I'm aware of the stigma, you know, that black women go through. I am aware of the whole situation. But no, I, I, you know, I.

[Patti LaBelle]

You didn't have to do.

[DJ Envy]

You always had a reputation of not taking no shit. From what I've been told, that's exactly.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

She looked like she was rough.

[Shaka Khan]

Ain't no time, you know, life is short. It's no time. So honesty, integrity, all those things are very important to me, you know, so that's all I can say about that.

[DJ Envy]

Did you always have that confidence or was that something that just grew over time?

[Shaka Khan]

I knew what I wanted to be sort of when I, When I was a kid. I mean, I left. I ran away at 16. I didn't finish high school. I pretty much knew what I wanted to do. And my dad said, but you don't want to go to college. I said, I said, no, I don't need to. He said, well, you can read, right? I said, you know, I can read, dad. We read the same books, my dad and I. So he said, well, that's cool. He said, you could just read what you want and be that. I said, yeah, if I want. But I. I didn't know I wanted to be an entertainer or a singer, but I knew I wanted to be in. To work with people. I really wanted to. I wanted to be a lot of things as a kid, but I really wanted to be hands on people. So I get to do that too. And to sing.

[Host/Announcer]

What was it that drew you to?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Have you ever turned $1 into $10,000? I doubt it. But now you can. On Better Picks, download the Better app, pick more or less on player stats, watch the games and win some cash. It's that simple. Better Picks is available in 33 states, including Texas, California and Georgia. Download the Better app today. That's Better B E T and get a free $10. No deposit necessary. Must be 21 or older. In a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates, terms and conditions apply. Better Picks. Sports just got better.

[Katie Whelan]

If you're feeling exhausted, puffy, anxious, foggy, gaining weight, or just not like yourself, you're not imagining it. Women in their 30s, 40s and 50s are experiencing massive hormonal shifts. And no one is explaining what's actually happening. I'm Katie Whelan, co founder of Joy. I built Joy because I lived this. The fatigue, the mood swings, the weight changes, the confusion. Your symptoms are biological, not personal, and AI generated lab reports won't fix them. Every Joy lab includes a visit with a licensed clinician who specializes in women's hormones and connects every biomarker to how you feel, energy metabolism, mood, sleep, skin weight, everything. Then we personalize real solutions. Hormone therapy, peptide therapy, supplements, and lifestyle protocols. Get [e-mail] today. This month, new customers get 50% off labs and you can add our estrogen face cream for just $1 with clinician approval. Use promo code [e-mail] welcome to Decoding Women's Health.

[Patti LaBelle]

I'm Dr. Elizabeth Poynter, Chair of women's health and gynecology at the Atria Health Institute in New York City. On this show, I'll be talking to top researchers and top clinicians, asking them your burning questions and bringing that information about women's health and midlife directly to you.

[Shaka Khan]

100% of women go through menopause.

[Stephanie Mills]

It can be such a struggle for.

[Shaka Khan]

Our quality of life.

[Stephanie Mills]

But even if it's natural, why should we suffer through it?

[Katie Whelan]

The types of symptoms that people talk.

[Shaka Khan]

About is forgetting everything.

[Patti LaBelle]

I never used to forget things. They're concerned that one, they have dementia.

[Katie Whelan]

And the other one is do I have adhd?

[Patti LaBelle]

There is unprecedented promise with regard to cannabis and cannabinoids to sleep better, to have less pain, to have better mood and also to have better day to day life. Listen to Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynter on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening. You know the shade is always shadiest right here. Season six of the podcast Reasonably Shady with Gisele Bryant and Robyn Dixon is here dropping every Monday as two of the founding members of the Real Housewives Potomac. We're giving you all the laughs, drama and reality news you can handle. And you know, we don't hold back. So come be reasonable or shady with us each and every Monday, I was going through a walk in my neighborhood. Out of the blue, I see this huge sign next to somebody's house. Okay, the sign says, my neighbor is a Karen. No way. I died laughing. I'm like, I have to know.

[Shaka Khan]

You are lying.

[Patti LaBelle]

Humongous, y'.

[DJ Envy]

All.

[Patti LaBelle]

They had some time. Listen to Reasonably Shady from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app. Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Shaka Khan]

Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro, host of the hit podcast Family Secrets.

[Charlamagne tha God]

We were in the car like a Rolling Stone came on and he said, there's a line in there about your mother.

[DJ Envy]

And I said, what?

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

What I would do if I didn't.

[DJ Envy]

Feel like I was being accepted is choose an identity that other people can't have.

[Host/Announcer]

I knew something had happened to me in the middle of the night, but I couldn't hold on to what had happened.

[Shaka Khan]

These are just a few of the moving and important stories I'll be holding space for on my upcoming 13th season of Family Secrets. Whether you've been on this journey with me from season one or just joining the Family Secrets family, we're so happy to have you with us. I'll dive deep into the incredible power of of secrets, the ones that shape our identities, test our relationships, and ultimately reveal who we truly are. Listen to Family secrets on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Patti LaBelle]

The moments that shape us often begin with a simple question. What do I want my life to look like now? I'm Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford, and on Therapy for Black Girls, we create space for honest conversations about identity, relationships, mental health, and the choices that help us grow. As cybersecurity expert Camille Stewart Gloucester reminds us, we are in a divisive time where our comments are weaponized against us. And so what we find is a lot of black women are standing up.

[Shaka Khan]

And speaking out because they feel the.

[Patti LaBelle]

Brunt of the pain. Each week, we explore the tools and insights that help you move with purpose, whether you're navigating something new or returning to yourself. If you're ready for thoughtful guidance and grounded support, this is the place for you. Listen to Therapy for black Girls on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever.

[Shaka Khan]

You get your podcasts.

[Host/Announcer]

The arts, once you like, it's people. But then you started to sing. What got you into singing?

[Shaka Khan]

Well, my mother and father, I grew up in a house of music. My mother and father both sang, and they were both artists as well. We had Frescas and murals all over the wall. We didn't know that we were living that. We didn't have any money. I mean, our apartment, we had Frescas on the walls and Champs Elysees in the dining room, and all sorts of. Every room had a different scheme. And it was really nice to grow up like that, but I just. And I grew up in a. You know, if you grew up around the university, then you get to meet a lot of other people that you wouldn't ordinarily meet from other countries and bits like that. So that I think that was also something that was helpful in my decisions in life, you know?

[DJ Envy]

You know, one thing I liked about you, Ms. Khan, is, you know, you've always been open about, like, your struggles and your triumphs. Do you feel like being transparent has helped fans connect deeper with you? Or do you think sometimes people weaponize your honesty?

[Shaka Khan]

Both ways. Both things, yeah. But I can handle it. No problem.

[DJ Envy]

You say it's not about you?

[Shaka Khan]

No, not for me.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, okay.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Got you.

[DJ Envy]

So what is it? What is it about?

[Shaka Khan]

Well, I don't know what it's about. I don't know. You know, like you said, weapon. Weaponization, and sometimes people get it, you know, so you. You're thankful for the ones that get it, you know, that's about all you can really do. Thank you very much. Thank you. What else? What else can you do? You're trying to cohabitate here, you know, that's the most important thing, that we can cohabitate.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely. Do you embrace the title the Queen of Funk, or do you feel like that.

[Shaka Khan]

I think it's gonna be kind of short because I think I'm the queen of a lot of. I mean, musically, I mean, you know, that's just like cutting it real short for me. I sing everything, so. Everything. I mean, I could sing Japanese, Chinese music. Could be.

[Patti LaBelle]

Give me.

[Shaka Khan]

Just give me the right way to pronounce it. I sing that too. I have no problem, you know, that's the only thing. I just think it's cutting me kind of short and I'm not being big headed about it or anything like that. It's a fact. I can do music. I play drums. I mean, I say I do. I do a lot of things.

[DJ Envy]

What about you, Ms. LeBaron? They call you the Godmother of Soul. Does that crown come with pressure or do you feel it's well earned flowers?

[Shaka Khan]

No. Well earned, that's a nice.

[Patti LaBelle]

I love flowers, you know, but no, I mean, I take whatever they give me.

[Shaka Khan]

Whatever, right?

[Patti LaBelle]

You know, And I'm blessed that people are even thinking about giving me some.

[Shaka Khan]

Kind of title or whatever in the end.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah, I'm blessed and I know it.

[Shaka Khan]

That's a fact.

[DJ Envy]

Ms. Mills, we saw you earlier this year. You called out the Essence Festival, and I thought it was constructive criticism, you know, it wasn't like you was just bashing them. Why'd you feel the need to do that?

[Patti LaBelle]

I was so Happy.

[Stephanie Mills]

Keep going. Because I was there the whole weekend, and I saw all the acts, and it was just very poorly run, and it didn't show respect to the artist, you know, And I remember Essence from Susan Taylor and Mr. Lewis, and it was always prestigious and ran with respect, and that just was not there. So I could not sit and let them accuse, you know, people for being late when it was them that was late and running late. I just. I. It bothered me. And at 68, I really don't care what people think about me. I'm gonna say and do what I want to do. I feel like I've earned that right.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely.

[Stephanie Mills]

So I. I wanted to call them out, but I did it respectfully. I didn't want to be ghetto about it. I wanted to be constructive, and that's what I did.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Well, they said they were going to fix it. They said they. They were getting down to the bottom of the things that went wrong, and they were going to make sure that.

[Stephanie Mills]

I'm glad.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

I'm glad they took full, you know, accountability was there.

[Patti LaBelle]

Honey, it was awful.

[Stephanie Mills]

It was awful.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah. So when I saw what you did, I said, go, girl. Keep on talking. Yeah, don't stop.

[Stephanie Mills]

Yep, she tells me, keep on talking. Don't stop.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah, you have a lot to say.

[DJ Envy]

So What'd you do, Ms. Lebel? You got it in privately or did I what? Did you say anything to them privately or.

[Patti LaBelle]

No, no. And I had one song with Jill Scott.

[Shaka Khan]

Right.

[Patti LaBelle]

I couldn't chitchat too much about anything because I didn't have a set of my own, you know, so I knew somebody would take care of it.

[Stephanie Mills]

I felt like I spoke for everybody, you know what I'm saying?

[Shaka Khan]

I feel like.

[Stephanie Mills]

Because I'm not afraid. I don't have any fear. I only fear God. So I'm not afraid when people say, oh, if you do this, you're going to be blacklisted. I'm black already, so you know what I'm saying? I don't really care. I put on my glasses and see if I give a damn about it.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

You were there the whole weekend. So you seen a bunch of artists.

[Stephanie Mills]

I've seen a bunch of artists. I saw what they did. I saw how late they were putting the shows together, and I had incidents with the owner's daughter. And I didn't talk about that, but it was just not respectful.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

I was gonna ask, what artists are you loving right now that you've seen? Since you watch a lot of the shows, There are artists right now that just came out that you were like, I really like that person. That person's doing an amazing job.

[Stephanie Mills]

I love Jasmine Sullivan. I love Selena Johnson. I love Leah.

[Shaka Khan]

Leah.

[Stephanie Mills]

What's her name? Oh, she says that's not Leah. Oh, I can't think of her name.

[Shaka Khan]

But I see a face.

[Stephanie Mills]

I love Layla Hathaway. You know, I love. I love a lot of the singers, but I see. I listen to a lot of the old. When I'm singing to get ready for my shows. I'm doing Ashford and Simpson.

[Shaka Khan]

Gotcha.

[Stephanie Mills]

And I do them because they sing the melody, but they still go around it so they stay in the pocket. And that's what I. That's what I try to do. And then I listen to my songs so I could sound somewhat like I sounded back in the day.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

What about you, Shaka Khan? Is there artists right now that you like? An R B artist that.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah, I would like a lot of them. It goes on. But I really like her.

[Patti LaBelle]

Her.

[Shaka Khan]

She's special. Yeah. We're gonna do some stuff together. Really? She's really. He's the closest thing to Prince I've met so far.

[Stephanie Mills]

Wow.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Patty LaBelle. Who do you feel, honey?

[Patti LaBelle]

I don't.

[Shaka Khan]

Young people.

[Patti LaBelle]

So many. So many. Yeah. I mean, I do love Coco. Oh, yes.

[DJ Envy]

Coco Jones. Oh, wow.

[Patti LaBelle]

Singing full honey, you know, like so many is. I mean, she sings her face off. And there are so many young girls who are singing. I might not remember names right, but I know I like certain music.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Now, some of these artists reached out to do. Besides her. Reached out to. To do records. And would y' all consider doing them? Or you're like, ah, I don't know.

[Patti LaBelle]

Well, there's some thoughts. You know, me and Cardi B.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Possibly you and Cardi B. I love that. I love that.

[Stephanie Mills]

That's so much fun.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Are you thinking about it?

[DJ Envy]

Oh, have you done Cardi New album?

[Host/Announcer]

You in my.

[DJ Envy]

What you say you on her new album?

[Stephanie Mills]

No.

[Shaka Khan]

Oh, she going to be on. She wants to do something. She gonna be on hers.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah. No, Cardi's my girl. We did a commercial together, bonded. But I haven't had a record out in like 15 years. R B album or 20 years. And I've been working on it for the last six months, but I got it coming.

[Stephanie Mills]

Fabulous.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

So, Carter, what about you, Shaga? I'm sorry.

[Shaka Khan]

Want to.

[DJ Envy]

I don't want to say Ms. Shaka. Can I say Ms. Shaka?

[Shaka Khan]

Whatever makes you comfortable.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Ms. Shaka. What about yourself?

[Shaka Khan]

The beginning of the year? Yeah. I have Sia and I have Gotten together, did a little pop album, and I got some. I got some nice surprise. I got. Well, who's on there so far that I could talk about? Oh, Snoop is on there rapping on one. But I got quite a few other surprises.

[Patti LaBelle]

But I know you do.

[Shaka Khan]

It's gonna be. It's gonna be interesting.

[Host/Announcer]

I saw you perform with Dua Lipa as well, too.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah, Dua Lipa. We did. We jammed. Yeah, I came with. Jammed with her the other day. How do you.

[Host/Announcer]

How do you pick and choose? Or all three of you ladies, how do you pick and choose? Like, when artists call you and say, hey, I'm almost paying tribute. Would love to have you where you're like, you lend your actual face and presence to an artist if they could sing.

[Patti LaBelle]

That's it.

[Shaka Khan]

Only, come on now, singer.

[Patti LaBelle]

Do something special. Yeah, I mean, Cardi's not a singer singer.

[Shaka Khan]

Right.

[Patti LaBelle]

But she's special.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah, it's a good entertainer. You know what I'm saying?

[Host/Announcer]

Have any of the younger artists, because y' all talked about, like, the showmanship of what you guys do and what you're used to. Have any of the younger singers or any performers reached out to you guys and said, hey, I need help with my actual show. Am I. And getting to my audience. And how does that.

[Patti LaBelle]

Calls from Jennifer Hudson, my other baby, you know, when she was doing Respect, she wanted me to talk to her about Aretha and stuff that we did. And we plan to do things together also. But they do call and they do get information. Because we've been on the road for all our lives and things that we've been through, we could let them know that you might have to go through this and you might be lucky. You don't have to do it. Yes. I love giving info.

[DJ Envy]

I wanted to ask you, too, Ms. Mills. You talked about this being the 50th year anniversary of the Wiz. How did that criticism of your role as Dorothy on Broadway shape the way you showed up throughout your whole career?

[Stephanie Mills]

It's funny criticism. And people that are not nice to me or whatever inspire me to be even better. It makes me stronger because I have a strong will. I came from a strong mother. So if you're unkind or if you're criticizing the way I look or the way. It just makes me stronger. I'm going to be better the next time you see me. And that's how I dealt with this throughout my whole career. I just don't. I don't let it. I let it wash off of me.

[DJ Envy]

What about you, Mrs. Bell, how have you dealt with criticism?

[Patti LaBelle]

I love it.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Mills]

It makes you.

[Patti LaBelle]

You know, a lot of people say, well, after 50, you don't do much. You can't do much.

[Shaka Khan]

Right.

[Patti LaBelle]

So anytime someone says something negative about me, it pushed me forward.

[Shaka Khan]

Yes.

[Patti LaBelle]

You know, because I know I can do, you know, and like I said, let them keep talking. It makes you popular.

[Shaka Khan]

Yes.

[Stephanie Mills]

I always say, just get the name right. Spell it right.

[Patti LaBelle]

Spell it right. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

What about you, Mishak?

[Shaka Khan]

I don't get much criticism, but. But. When you.

[DJ Envy]

When you had got criticized after the verses, did that bother you?

[Shaka Khan]

I'm not talking about that.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, okay.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Shut your ass right up.

[DJ Envy]

And I'm gonna shut up.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

I want to know, you know, when. When artists sample your music is there, sometimes you be like, nah, I'm not doing it. Because sometimes artists, you be like, well, if you curse, you can't. I'm not gonna clear it. Do y' all listen to the records when they try to sample your record, your music?

[Patti LaBelle]

Oh, of course. Yeah. I've had some moments.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

You've shut some people down. Like, I just don't like the record.

[Patti LaBelle]

I can't tell you. But you have had some moments.

[Shaka Khan]

You know, I used to have. I had a problem once, you know, but that's because I didn't understand hip hop and the way that they would take a song or voice and flip it, you know, and once I understood, I've. I've, you know, really profusely, you know, apologize, because I just didn't understand the.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

The sampling, the high pitching, the voice, changing the sound.

[Shaka Khan]

Exactly.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

He was like, nah, B, that's not me.

[Shaka Khan]

If you wanted me, what is that? I mean, you know, but, you know, just because of my. My ignorance, so. But we got it straight.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Who broke it down? How'd you figure it out? Was it one of those things that.

[Shaka Khan]

My son tell me. My son.

[DJ Envy]

Ma, you bugging.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah, right. You let me know that. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

And the checks are good, royalty checks, because you've been sampled by everybody from Kanye to Mary J. Blige.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah. If everybody paid up, be nice. I'm just kidding. But. But no, I thought, you know, it's. That's just. That's beautiful that, you know, everybody can share. Everybody cheer. Everybody, everybody. Yeah, I. I love compilations. I love it. Makes everything more interesting to me when you mix, you know, red and red and yellow. Get orange. That's something.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

What about you, Ms. Mills? Let me sample your stuff.

[Stephanie Mills]

I love it. I have a good time with it, and I do get my checks.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Do you ever turn somebody down for a particular reason? Like, nah, you just can't sing. But now he's.

[Stephanie Mills]

I've never turned anybody down.

[Shaka Khan]

Really?

[Stephanie Mills]

No, I like. I like freedom. I think people should be able to be free to express themselves the way they want to, you know, So I. I've never turned anybody down.

[DJ Envy]

Who taught you the business, Ms. Mills, because you've always been vocal about ownership and independence in music, and it seems like a lot of younger artists are starting to do that now. But who taught you that so early on?

[Stephanie Mills]

I've always been one to sit back and just watch and observe. And, like, I've been like a sponge. And then people like. My first agent was Buddy Howe at William Morris, and he taught me a lot. And I never wanted to be one of those artists that wound up with no money, a raggedy car this. I never wanted to be that. So I've always made sure that I was covered in some way and lived a certain way so that I could live that way for the rest of my life. Because it's not how well you live, it's how long you live.

[Shaka Khan]

Well, it is.

[Patti LaBelle]

You said it, girl.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

I love that.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yes, beautiful.

[DJ Envy]

How much is the industry changed and how much is it. Has it stayed the same?

[Stephanie Mills]

I think it's changed a lot, the way you go about putting out music. I think it's better for artists to be independent because I think record companies are nothing but a marketing company, so why should they take half your money or whatever you get? You could sell 50,000 units and make a lot of money. You know, it comes straight to you.

[Shaka Khan]

Right.

[Stephanie Mills]

So why should you give that up? You know, publishing and all of that? I make sure, even if I haven't. I shouldn't say this, but even if I haven't written a song, if someone comes to me and says, I want you to do the song with me, I'm going to get some of the publishing because I've made. I know I can sell records and I know I can have hit records. So that's just good business. But I think they should really just keep it small and do good business.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Would you say you made more money now in the last 10 years than you did in your career?

[Stephanie Mills]

Absolutely. Absolutely.

[Host/Announcer]

Right now?

[Stephanie Mills]

Well, because I'm independent and I'm more verbal about what I want. I know exactly what I want. I know how I want it to be done. I know what percentages I want. So. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

What about you guys?

[DJ Envy]

About how. How much has the industry's change and how much does it stay the same?

[Patti LaBelle]

It's changed a lot. I think women are getting more play these days. And like Stephanie said, you have to know what you're worth. And you have to know that who's ever doing your business with you, they are safe, which is hard to find. You know, my son is with me.

[Host/Announcer]

Yes.

[Shaka Khan]

Forever.

[Stephanie Mills]

No, no.

[Patti LaBelle]

Go ahead, finish.

[Stephanie Mills]

But I just want to say that you have to know your worth and you have to be willing to say no and not chase the money. Because all money ain't good money.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah. Because it's real. I mean, you can't go out and say, I'm going to do this and you embarrass yourself or you talked about badly for taking that check.

[Shaka Khan]

Right.

[Patti LaBelle]

You know, so I know all of these things are done well with me and my son. Like, he'll stop it in a minute no matter how much it is. Like, so I, you know, I'm blessed again. I'm blessed with business.

[DJ Envy]

What about you, Ms. Shaka.

[Shaka Khan]

Again? No. You know, the big, you know, the big house, the big, you know, the big companies. I was very thrilled. I was thrilled when I found out that a lot of artists, hip hop artists were like, in their hotel rooms cutting records. I was like, yes, that's the way it should be. Absolutely. And Prince and I went through a really big fight with, you know who for some years, you know, about, you know, how crooked they were. And so finally I'm in a good place where, you know, I own everything I'm of mine. You have to come through me first.

[Host/Announcer]

So I know you guys are doing this. The black music collective, the Right. That's the promoters behind you guys.

[Shaka Khan]

Yes.

[Host/Announcer]

So black promoters, collectors. I'm sorry, the black promoters collective. So I know you got talk just a bit about that, like working with them and putting this tour on and them, you know, knowing how to cater to you guys as the legends that you guys are.

[Patti LaBelle]

They've been treating us like queens, as they should, you know, and I don't think we would be out there if they weren't. So they're a very awesome team and we're happy to be there because if we weren't, we wouldn't be doing the second half, which starts September 19th. So we're happy about the things that happened before now.

[DJ Envy]

Why you rolled your eyes, Ms. Shaka?

[Shaka Khan]

I didn't.

[Patti LaBelle]

Oh, she's just looking that way.

[Shaka Khan]

Eyes looking crazy. It's too early for me to be talking about that. Excuse me.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

But definitely pick up their tickets if.

[DJ Envy]

You got one more. If there's one message you want the audience to take away after seeing all of y' all perform together. What is it?

[Patti LaBelle]

Unity and that we respect each other.

[Stephanie Mills]

Love, peace.

[Shaka Khan]

We've been talking about this for years. You know, those are together. This is when this came. I said, here's our chance. You know? I love you so much.

[Patti LaBelle]

I love you too. I mean, we have real legal back.

[Shaka Khan]

Yes.

[Patti LaBelle]

They love me like a mother.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah.

[Patti LaBelle]

I mean they really do respect my old self. And I love is beautiful.

[Shaka Khan]

She's the. She's the quickest. She's the quickest change artist I've ever.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

The quickest change artist.

[Shaka Khan]

Let me tell you. I like. She's on stage. This one amazing outfit. Right. And this is still in her show.

[Patti LaBelle]

Her.

[Shaka Khan]

Her in her part. So, I mean, she ran off the stage and came right back on with a totally different outfit. I said, what is this magic girl?

[Patti LaBelle]

What?

[Shaka Khan]

So she said she still hasn't told me her secret.

[Patti LaBelle]

No, I'm. I'm just fast. I practice.

[Stephanie Mills]

I mean.

[Shaka Khan]

I mean, within less than three minutes time, she had a totally freaking fracked different outfit on.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

I love it.

[Patti LaBelle]

And a new wig.

[Shaka Khan]

That's something. That's. Yeah, that's something. Yeah. You're amazing.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

All right, well, ladies and salute to.

[DJ Envy]

Ms. Gladys Knight too. She's also on the commercial.

[Shaka Khan]

Absolutely. You know, and kudos and love to Gladys.

[Stephanie Mills]

Like sweet potatoes.

[Shaka Khan]

This may be the last time we ever see her on stage.

[Patti LaBelle]

So that's why she's not with us today. Yeah, she's rehearsing because she has other jobs.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Patti LaBelle]

We love Glattus.

[Shaka Khan]

Amazing.

[Patti LaBelle]

Yeah, she's phenomenal.

[Shaka Khan]

I. I grew up. I grew up on her. Yeah.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Well, thank you ladies for joining us. The queens. The queens, the legends, the icons.

[DJ Envy]

And make sure you go out there and get all Ms. Patti LaBelle products. You know, Thanksgiving right around the corner.

[Shaka Khan]

Sweet potato.

[Patti LaBelle]

New syrup to go with my pancakes. Yeah, it's in Kroger's and somewhere. I don't know. But I do have it is out tomorrow. Institution.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

Charles ain't Texas yet but I'm sure the Texas coming through. Patty LaBelle, Stephanie Mills. Shaka Khan. Thank you so much.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[DJ Envy]

Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club finished or y' all done?

[Charlamagne tha God]

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[DJ Envy]

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[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

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[DJ Envy]

Bright Eyed Berries got a feisty receiver energy up an apple. Your classic do it all tight end, soft, pillowy, packed with protein and easy enough for Gronk to grab from the freezer.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

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[DJ Envy]

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[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

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[DJ Envy]

Your new Sunday kickoff ritual starts here with New Morning Uncrustable sandwiches packed with 12 grams of protein.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Janice Torres here and I'm Austin Hankwitz. We host the podcast Mind the Business Small Business Success Stories produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Intuit QuickBooks.

[Shaka Khan]

We're back for season four to talk to some incredible small business owners.

[DJ Envy]

The big thing about working at Tech is that it's ever evolving, ever changing. Everyone's a rookie, that's how fast the industry is changing. So what I'm really excited about is to be part of that change.

[Charlamagne tha God]

So listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlamagne tha God (or possibly DJ Envy, but likely Charlamagne)]

My favorite thing about Shipt since I signed up for target circle360. No price markups when I order same day delivery from tons of local stor only a handful of alcohol retailers and items don't count. I won't lie, I've had too much fun being like Markups on groceries not in my fridge. Markups on pet food not for my dog. Markups on tools, electronics, home goods, meds. Not in my house. Anyway, it's awesome. Order [e-mail] 360trees apply.

[Shaka Khan]

Running a business is hard enough. Don't make it harder with a dozen apps that don't talk to each other. One for sales, another for inventory, a.

[Stephanie Mills]

Separate one for accounting.

[Shaka Khan]

That's software overload. Odoo is the all in one platform that replaces them all. CRM, Accounting, inventory, E Commerce, hr. Fully integrated, easy to use and built.

[Stephanie Mills]

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[Shaka Khan]

Thousands have already made the switch. Why not you Try Odoo for free@o-o o.com that's odoo.com Picture this me, Reese.

[Katie Whelan]

Witherspoon, in London, ordering fish and chips so often they might start wrapping me in PA paper. I'm traveling with my Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card, so I earn rewards wherever I book travel five times points with hotels four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. Imagine getting rewarded for eating a toad in the hole. Wait, what is a toad in a hole?

[Charlamagne tha God]

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[Host/Announcer]

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[Katie Whelan]

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