Watch: Chaka Khan Slams Clive Davis, Speaks On Absence From Houston Grammy Tribute

Published: Tuesday 14th Feb 2012 by Rashad

‘I’m Every Woman’ wailer Chaka Khan is just one of many in the music industry still reeling from the untimely death of pop icon Whitney Houston.  Hours upon hearing of the tragic loss, reports surfaced that Jennifer Hudson and Khan would take to the Grammy stage in a last minute tribute arranged for the singer.

Minutes before scheduled to hit the stage, the R&B legend’s camp released a statement saying she opted to grieve in private and let Hudson provide the short, stirring tribute by her lonesome.  Now, taking to CNN’s Piers Morgan, the ‘Through the Fire’ singer is speaking out – lending fiery statements against Houston’s career-long mentor Clive Davis.

Slamming the music mogul for carrying on with Saturday night’s planned festivities in light of Houston’s passing, hear her thoughts after the jump:


Your thoughts?

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  1. sallythesnoop February 14, 2012

    That was insanity! I don’t understand how you can party in the same building where a body is laying like it’s normal. I just don’t understand it at all! I dislike everyone that went. But that’s just me.

  2. Another Star February 14, 2012

    SMH

  3. STR8FACTS February 14, 2012

    FINALLY somebody speaks the truth.

    First off, the whole “(Insert deceased person’s name here) would’ve wanted it to go on” is the lamest excuse that has been said for years now, and when Clive said that the family asked that they go on with the party, UMM HELLO?! DO YOU THINK THEY’RE GOING TO SAY “No Clive we would like you to cancel the party this evening”? No person would say that.

    I think it’s absolutely disgusting like how can you go out and celebrate and party when the woman is literally upstairs in a body bag, besides the fact that she had only died a couple hours ago it wasn’t even a full 24hrs. what in the world are you celebrating THAT soon?

    I hate when people say let’s celebrate (dead persons name)’s life like a day or so after the person’s passing and try to ignore the fact that people WILL and NEED to grieve, it’s a human emotion we all go through when someone passes. I’m sorry but 2 hours after finding out someone dies there is NO WAY I’m going out and “celebrating their life”, I’m grieving! CASE CLOSED!

  4. Anne February 14, 2012

    I thought the interview with Chaka was very honest and insightful, wish it was longer. I agree with her, the party should have been cancelled or converted to a short prayer service.

  5. Wanda jackson February 14, 2012

    I felt the same way, the party should have been cancelled, money talks and spares no sad times for no one.. He said Whit would have wanted the party to go on.. I truly disagree.. I still can’t fathom,, my Whit is gone….,, A fellow Newarker..

  6. Oceanmate February 14, 2012

    “Amen” to that Chaka Amen

  7. Jessica February 14, 2012

    I have to say Chaka looks really good, that woman never ages. Honestly it’s really a messed up situation, it’s hard to decide because it was unexpected that this happened, yes they should’ve cancel it but at the same time it was planned and people was gonna arrive. I’m gonna keep saying this, it’s a messed up situation, but I do agree, a little prayer and reschedule a little party later on.

  8. Bam Bam February 14, 2012

    Me and some friends were planning to go see a movie when we heard Whit died and got totally out of the mood….Now aint no way in hell I’m gone party in the hotel that she died in hours later when the body still up stairs. ….What Kind of foolishness is that……

  9. Almond Joy February 14, 2012

    The Queen Mother has spoken!!!!!! More Chaka posts TGJ!!!

  10. nibbibu February 14, 2012

    WARNING: Chacka be careful they kill you too. Anyway stay safe.

  11. monty February 14, 2012

    i totally agree especilly when whitney help mode clivis davis company to what is is<< two hundred millions albums sold and he couldnt post pone a few hours party, that was wrong!!

  12. D. Williams February 14, 2012

    I respect Chaka Khan for her opinion on the Clive Davis Party! However, I think that the party should have continued as scheduled. I am pretty sure that the party was not that of the normal Pre-Grammy gathering. Several songs probably were dedicated, words were expressed, and some people were to overwhelmed to attend. I just think that you can’t stop living life, because one person has passed. These people are musical family and not blood relatives. If the party was canceled money would have been lost and people would have been sitting in that same hotel soaking and crying over the situation. I feel this party was more of a support system to many of them, than anything. If it was Whitley Houghton from down the street, would you feel the same? Think about it!

  13. Justathought (Azealia Banks is coming…) February 14, 2012

    I absolutely agree Chaka…absolutely agree.

  14. MISHKA February 14, 2012

    Clive Davis has always been Whitney Houston #1 supporter since the day he signed her and against all odds. No matter what, he was not mean spirited at all. Maybe he didn’t want to be alone…

    I remember when Michael died, people start singing his songs and dancing all around the world. Everybody has his own way to mourn and I don’t think Ms Khan has any right to judge her peers who attended the party.

  15. Jasmine February 14, 2012

    I think Chaka was 100% correct. The only part I am confused about was when she said someone flew Whitney to LA a week before the party. I thought Whitney was already living in California. I think Chaka knows better and obviously that was the case besides in the past couple weeks I have seen a lot of Whitney online partying again. But Whitney was full grown so could go wherever she wants to party. As for the party I think it should have been cancelled. I’m just said that I’m writing about one of my favorite singers in past tense because she dies way too young.

  16. Small_Angel February 14, 2012

    Now i understand why Christina Aguilera cancelled here appearance on the sadi party here.

  17. aishaaguilerakeys February 14, 2012

    I couldn’t watch the interview, but everyone has their way to mourn, which differs. I cried, but I also listened to her songs and danced in joy. I celebrated her career.

  18. NICK February 14, 2012

    i understand Chaka, BUT IDK —WHITNEY said in MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE “if i die this very day, don’t cry, cause on earth we weren’t meant to stay” — AMEN! Whitney was the TRUTH HONEY!!!!!!

  19. Dev February 14, 2012

    I stand by what a lot of people say here, and my comments on previous posts. The party should’ve been cancelled, if Clive couldn’t find any reason the fact that the body was in the same building, floors above should’ve been enough.

    Due to that party… the party he held because “Whitney” would’ve wanted it. Her body lay upstairs for 9hrs because the hotel decided not to let the body be moved until the party that she would’ve wanted was finished.

    I don’t think that Clive was being vindictive (i hope not) but it was a bad choice and she should admit that

  20. JER February 14, 2012

    THANK YOU! Damn these Divas are going OFF! They all lying out they teeth “Whitney would have wanted the show to go on” b**** please you don’t know a diva. They only said that so they didn’t have to cancel s*** and back out of their contracts for the party and for the Grammys. Tacky and tasteless.

  21. Lax February 14, 2012

    @STR8FACTS COSIGN YOU ALL THE WAY…..These bastards could
    care less especially after they all knew that Whitney had Passed. All clive
    is concerned about is his Fukkkkkkin Bottom Line like all of these Mentors
    and Label Heads. There are very few who take care of the real Business.
    They can say what they want about many Label Heads but the Fact is many
    of them do take care of the Business at Hand and others after they can not
    Use these Artist or they feel that they have squeezed all of the juice out of
    Yo ass they are Finished with you.

    Whitney did good in her Career and made great Music and she Delivered in
    Her Hay Day & Before she fell Victim to Drug. Drugs have destroyed a many
    Of Careers Both in the Entertainment Industry and in Everyday People’s Lives who got caught up. This is something seeing every one partying down and having a Blast and just the thought of Having Whitney’s Body Lying p stairs, sicking to say the least.

    When people get in trouble with Drugs are anything else i do not blame others all together the person has to be burden with their own DEMONS BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE THEM. It’s not about how these DEMONS ATTACK YOU IT’S HOW YOU DEAL WITH THEM. Peolpe will always have others to blame but there’s enough blame to go around Therefore there’s no use in complaining about the BARN DOOR BEING OPENED BECAUSE THE ANIMALS ARE ALL OUT SO TO SAY. To me they should have never , ever left WHITNEY in that room along, i am not saying that with some one else in her room that it would have saveh WHITNEY’S LIFE, But we will never know at this poing now will we.

    With enough blame to go around for every one we can say that if people Loved and cared about Whitney’s Welfare Why did they leave her Along and not be checking on her more often than they did???Why was they gone from her for over 30 minutes and they knew she was in an almost ALTERED STATE, WHY??????
    BUT SO MUCH FOR WHAT I FEEL RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THIS HAS CASTED A CLOUD OF SADNESS FOR ALL OF US WHO KNEW HER AND HAVE FOLLOWED HER THROUGH THE YEARS.

    This should serve as a warning to all of the artist in the industry that there’s a very
    thin line between sanity and going off the deep end in the Entertainment Industry.
    Not only do you HAVE DERANGED FANS/STAN AND THE HATERS TO CONTEND WITH You have got to try and keep your business life and personal life
    seperated from the two. I was told to remember back in the day when her and bobby got together how it seemed that they was not matched right BUT PEOPLE HAVE TO FOLLOW THEIR HEARTS AND THAT IS HOW LIFE IS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. It just seems that she did not have anything else to look forward to and you would think thAT whitney would have been strong enough to pick hersels up and carry on it seemed that she was headed for a great comeback. But then we remember seeing things about her BEING BROKE AND ALL AND THAT IS ENOUGH AND ADD IN THAT SHE WANTED TO DO MORE mUSIC AND WHAT IF xlive davis told hER HE WAS NOT GOING TO SUPPORT HER ANYMORE??????? We have learned in our lives outside of being in Entertainment that these Jobs when they figure out that you have BECOME A RISK For them they will get rid of your ass, at any cost i am just saying. These
    Normal 8-5 Jobs will Hire a younger person to fill your Slot in a New York Minute and never Look Back at you if they fill a younger person can be trained to be as good as they thought you was, just my own thoughts and my own thought process
    WHITNEY NOW THAT SHE HAVE CROSSED ON OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE, HOLD YOUR HEADS HIGH AND LESS KEEP CELEBRATING HER LIFE, BECAUSE THE FINAL CURTAIN HAS BEEN DRAWN AND I MIGHT BE WRONG BUT…..I FEEL THAT IF WHITNEY HAD A CHANCE TO COME BACK TO THEI …..CUREL ASS WORLD SHE WOULD SAY NO….SINCE SHE KNOW THAT HER DAUGHTER IS OLD ENOUGH TO LIVE AND LET LIVE AND I FEEL THAT HER DAUGHTER IN MANY WAYS MIGHR HAVE GROWN UP TO BE AN EVEN STRONGER WOMAN THAN HER MOM AND BOBBI,,,,IS GOING TO BE JUST FINE BECAUSE GOD HAS HER LIFTED UP AND HE WILL BE HER GUIDE FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE,,,,,JUST VENTING YOU ALL THEREFORE SMKIP, HOP OR
    JUMP RIGHT OVER MY RANT AND KEEP IT MOVING
    @CHAKA ,,,,THANKS FOR BEING ABLE TO SPEAK & THINK LIKE THE WOMAN YOU ARE………TRUE WORD CHAK , TRUE WORDS…….

  22. Lax February 14, 2012

    @JER,,,I Heard that Ofc. Very True Words
    Tacky & Tasteless, Many a artist had better
    try and keep themselves Grounded if they can…

  23. Lax February 14, 2012

    When you think about it, when you have everything your heart
    desires and all the money you need to last you a life time, what
    is there for you to look forward too???? It seem that the HAPPY
    PEOPLE ARE THOSE WHO OR FROM PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK
    LIKE ME AND COUNTLESS OTHERS, FOR REAL TALK THOUGH.
    There’s nothing wrong with making a s*** load of money it is all
    about how and what you do with your LIVES AFTER YOU RAKE
    ALL YOUR MONEY IN AND GET IT IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS.
    MONEY WILL NEVER BUY YOU HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND
    INNER BEAUTY…..MANY ARE SO HOOKED UP ON LOOKS AND THAT CINDERELLA STORY THAT THEY EVEN TRIES TO DO THE DIVA WALK IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR OWN HOMES ARE WHERE THEY LIVE BECAUSE THEY WORKS OVERTIME TRYING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES BE LITTLE “MISS PERFECT”
    PICTURE BULL……HAPPY V DAY…..

  24. Lax February 14, 2012

    Did you all notice how Jennifer did not do the bridges
    in her tribute the other Night and did you see how she
    did all she could do to keep from Breaking down, and
    how she hurried up and got off the Stage.
    On the time Jenn tributed Whitney when Whitney was
    still Living is out the park and off the Hooks so to Say.
    And people can say what ever in the Fukkkk about
    JENNIFER HUDSON, BUT THE TRUTH IS JENNIFER
    KNOWS HOW TO MAKE YOU LAUGHT, CRY AND SNOT
    IN HER RAY, EMOTIONAL DELIVER OF ANY LYRICS THAT
    IS PLACED IN FRONT OF HER FOR HER TO SING!!!!!!!!!!

  25. Lax February 14, 2012

    Jennifer know how to make you laught,
    cry and snot your nose in her RAW…….EMOTIONAL DELIVERY!

  26. Slewis February 14, 2012

    I agree with Chaka Khan. The party should have been postponed. Damn, her body was still warm. The entertainers in “Hollywood” are so phony & superficial. They act like they cared about Whitney, yeah right! None of them spoke in her defense when she was having problems. Now they all claim that they loved her. The Grammy’s was supposed to honor her. I’m glad I didn’t watch because they just wanted viewers to watch for ratings.

  27. COOKIE – DIVAS – TONI BRAXTON, RIHANNA February 14, 2012

    Truth spoken like no other. – MS. CHAKA KHAN! Tribute my ***!

  28. YOOSONDALOOSE February 14, 2012

    I agree with Chaka, he acted like nothing had happened. Shouldn’t have been partying and celebrating.
    He should have been at home or with Whitney’s family.
    I thought it was disrespectful!

  29. miss honest February 14, 2012

    AT LAST SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK OUT AND SAY WHAT MANY OF US WERE THINKING , THANK YOU CHAKA KHAN FOR SPEAKING OUT LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN, WHAT THEY DID WAS LIKE DANCING ON HER GRAVE. TRULY A DISGRACE.

  30. RihannaNavy February 14, 2012

    I 100% agree with Chaka that party should have never gone on, if the family said yes or no
    just another way for artist to come out and promote there junk. a lot of whitneys true friends didn’t attend that were going to.

  31. Lax February 14, 2012

    I wonder why Aretha Left Clive Label?

  32. pat February 14, 2012

    i disagree…it was more like friends gathering to mourn her life and attempt to celebrate her…brandy and monica even cancelled their performance……its not like people were poppn bottles and makin it rain

  33. Anne February 14, 2012

    The interview of Jennifer Holiday later in the show was also interesting. She and Whitney were friends and she somewhat relunctantly admitted Whitney had already started her drug use before she got with Bobby Brown.

  34. Mari (RIP Dwayne McDuffie + Amy Winehouse +Steve Jobs) February 14, 2012

    i disagree…it was more like friends gathering to mourn her life and attempt to celebrate her…brandy and monica even cancelled their performance……its not like people were poppn bottles and makin it rain

    @Pat

    Co-sign. Whitney died HOURS before the event, not days, HOURS. and not for nothing, but none of these artists with the exception of maybe Dionne and Cissy nurtured Whitney’s career the way Clive did. So, if he felt like continuing on with the event was appropriate, then people should just leave it at that, because quite frankly, he’s entitled.

  35. mobwife February 14, 2012

    Speak on it My DIVA Chaka! I agree about the Pre-Grammy party! Of course Piers Morgan would understand Clives position. They are both party of the media industry elite “the show must go on” BS. Whitney Houston like this DIVA above would have said “stop that nonsense right now”..LOL 🙂

    I’m not sure what killed Whitney and I’m tired of the ususal media “talking heads” speculating and turning this – as they do every other “event” – into an issue they can spin and control!

    R.I.P. My DIVA Whitney

  36. Turveydel February 14, 2012

    Clive Davis is totally f***** he never cared for Whitney she was his brand which belonged to arista records and he mr Clive Davis wanted to get every last dime from Whitney but as we now know Whitney had nothing more to give lost her voice through constant alcohol and drugs she will now make more money for Clive now she is dead
    So to answer Clive don’t give a damn it’s all about the money and he’s gonna keep that s*** movin hence why they had the party Chaka u are the truth
    All them so called f***** up friends who said she was ok holy than thou Kelly price has been kenny latimore and looser ray j just to name a few who were with her for the week Partyin slowing her to be vulnerable
    They wernt real friends
    As for the people who partied the night away Kelly Roland selfish b**** a** Diana Ross berry Gordy who looked like they didn’t give a s*** laughing and joking britney Gladys khight to name a few whilst her body was upstairs sick ….. Chaka I respect u for speaking out

  37. Hmm February 14, 2012

    If you have to ASK the family if the show should go on, then maybe you SHOULDN’T! I agree with Chaka all the way! Why not cancel the party?! After all those pictures we saw, and hardly anyone smiling, and looking like they’re enjoying themselves. Just check those pics of LA Reid and Ciara, along with Brandy and Monica! You know good and hell well no one was emotionally ready to have that party. Not to mention, they were in the same building! That’s too much to handle in my opinion. And I truly doubt you can turn that party into a 100% Whitney tribute in a matter of hours….Chaka spoke the truth.

  38. Mely B February 14, 2012

    Chaka Khan spoke the absolute truth!! She also made a valid point about what SHOULD have been done – of course it was too late to cancel but it wasn’t too late to announce that there would be no performances/a party atmosphere. Let people gather, say a prayer for Whitney & her family, eat then go to whatever parties these people had planned.

    To “party” there as Whitney lay in a body bag was totally disrespectful.

  39. karen February 14, 2012

    Chaka Khan really spoke the truth. I mean what kind of people would still want to party in the same building or next building with Whitney’s body in a body bag. If they wanted to party all that bad, Clive with all his money should have moved the party to another date or location. I really feel sorry for these artist who are now coming up now. There are way to much parting,drinking,smoking weed ,coke and pills floating around the industry. Fans spend there hard earn money for their fave to only give it to the drug man.

    These people in the industry are heartless. I wonder who will be the next one to leave us.

  40. James227 February 14, 2012

    I so agree with my diva lady Chaka. There is something people are not understanding, these artists are products they only there to make money for the record label. These labels don’t give two shits about their aritsts as long as the money keeps flowing in. Now Whitney is dead and these shameless people dancing all over her grave will be the first ones shouting and crying at the furneral. SMH.

    R.I.P Whitney

  41. LouLou February 14, 2012

    Didn’t Whitney’s family ask Clive to carry on with the party? Everyone grieves differently. The people that attended wanted to mourn together and not take the path that Chaka took and mourn alone. It is better to be with other people when you are mourning. I will say that it was a little weird to have the body still upstairs, though.

  42. trisha February 14, 2012

    I totally agree with Chaka Khan — it was crazy to continue on with a party while Whitney lay dead upstairs. They didn’t remove her body until late into the night while the party was still going on and they took her out the back through the service elevator. What a shame that was. I can’t believe how someone who claimed to love her as much as Clive Davis says he did can get up there and have a party — even if they did make it like a “tribute” to Whitney. What!!!! I would have been so distraught that I wouldn’t be able to control my emotions, be around people drinking and eating, etc. while her body lay lifeless upstairs!!!!! Chaka is also correct about the fact she was there so early in the week, going from club to bar to club, drinking and whatever else. What about these folks in her entourage? How can they be ok with themselves allowing her to do this when they know about her history of drug and alcohol abuse. WHAT A SHAME

  43. VFB February 14, 2012

    Chaka ALWAYS keep it real

  44. BadGirl23 February 14, 2012

    Wow, so a real friend of the Whitney has spoken. God Bless Chaka, because listen, I was totally devastated when MJ passed, I mean call me a stan, I will take the title. I didn’t even go to work the next day and guess what, all my co-workers knew why I wasn’t there. I was in love with him, that’s why I don’t understand how ppl could be in the SAME place where she laid just a few floors up lifeless. That ish is crazy, ain’t no way I would do that if I really loved her like most of these folks claim so I totally get what Chaka is saying here.

  45. 123456 February 14, 2012

    she talks about the illuminati…sacrifices and demonic. b****** wake up

  46. Ceddd February 15, 2012

    SO TRUE ! I was so shocked to learn that party was going on and more where I get to those smiling people stricking the pose…you know what ? To me it looked like a VAMPIRE party, it frozen me and all of those who were there, i’m never ever gonna listen to their music or whatever anymore….THEY FROZEN ME (frenchy here, excuse my english…)

  47. JAMZ February 20, 2012

    I feel much the same toward her so-called “God Mother”, Aretha Franklin. She was crying all over the news and was going to sing “I will always Love You” at Whitney’s funeral, but called the day of the funeral and said basically her feet hurt, from doing a concert last night, and she needed to stay off them so she could be sure and do the next concert Saturday night?!?! Really??? OMG…….I don’t get it, your supposed “God-Child” died…………..:(
    RIP WHITNEY, we can see why you sought “oblivion” like you did, right or wrong…..

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