Monthly gay magazine OUT carries an interview with Chaka Khan, the legendary funk and soul chanteuse, as she releases her first new album in seven years. And, perhaps not surprisingly for an artist who straddled the women's liberation and Black Panther movements of the seventies, she has firm words of support for her LGBTQIA fans.

“Chakzilla is about joy, freedom, and where I am in my life right now." she says. " I’ve lived a lot, learned a lot, and I really love making music. Working with artists I respect keeps things fresh and surprising. Everybody brings their own magic to the room, and when it works, you feel it. Greg Kurstin built the whole foundation. He did the music tracks for every song on this album, so he’s the ground the rest of it stands on. Sia, she’s my heart. We just played like kids. I love her spirit and the way she brings her whole heart to the music. Lenny, he’s my soul.

And Snoop? Come on! It’s Snoop. We had too much fun. That’s what music is supposed to be.”

Chaka Khan has spoken of her love for the way her songs have become a soundtrack to many queer people’s lives, saying music nourishes the soul.

Alongside “I’m Every Woman”, she noted that listeners have also turned to powerful anthems such as “Ain’t Nobody”, “Through the Fire”, “I Feel for You” and others for inspiration during difficult times.

In a message to fans, Khan urged them to know who they are and to love themselves fiercely, refusing to let anyone else determine their worth or dull their light. She stressed that people need one another, and encouraged them to find their own community, hold it close and keep showing up for each other. There is strength in living truthfully, she added, and whatever they are facing, they should keep going, keep loving and keep dancing — and always turn the music up.

This year has already brought further milestones for Khan. In January she received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, and her own jukebox musical premiered in London’s West End. I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical has already drawn rave reviews. The production is based on Khan’s life, tracing her journey from a young Black Panther activist in Chicago to her position as a music icon, and is scheduled to run at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre until late September.

Khan said she is grateful for every honour, but does not spend too much time thinking about statues or titles. Her hope, she explained, is that the music lives on, that she opened some doors, made people feel something and encouraged everyone to own their voices and their power. She wants people to remember that she gave them the truth as she knew it, and hopefully gave them something they could dance to and feel good with along the way.

From her humble beginnings in the 1970s with the funk band Rufus, Khan has dedicated her life to pursuing her dreams and bringing a bright energy to every project she tackles. Despite the challenges and obstacles of an incredible five-decade career, the legendary singer remains committed to spreading love across the globe.

She said that at this point in her life she is interested in what feels meaningful and what feels like fun, and that if something offers both, she is in. She has learned to stay open, because sometimes the greatest things are the ones you never saw coming.

Khan’s 14th solo studio album, Chakzilla, is due for release everywhere on 18 September.