Chaka Khan is back with new music.
Seven years after releasing her last studio album, the legendary singer has returned with a new single called “Chakzilla.” The song was co-written with Sia, who is also on the background vocals.
In an interview with PEOPLE, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer shared the inspiration for “Chakzilla.”
“When I was a kid, I really liked the Godzilla movies,” Khan explained. “When we came up with [‘Chakzilla’] as a title, lots of things just ran through my head and made a lot of sense.”
Khan went on to say that the character of Chakzilla is ” closer to what I am. I tried to make it true to who I am and what I’m about.”
In the visual for the song, Chaka is seen as the same size as Godzilla but with a different mission than the famous monster.
“Instead of becoming a monster and just tearing up things,” said Khan. “I became sort of a monster of a person who does good things.”
“Everything I can that is cuckoo and crazy and awry,” says Khan. “I’m trying to fix and help a lot of people who are having a really hard time in this world today. There’s lots of madness going on.”
While the visual is amazing, Khan said that it took a lot to make it happen.
“It was a lot of work,” she laughed.
The “Tell Me Something Good” singer said how much she enjoyed co-writing with Sia, who came up with the title of the song.
“I would’ve never thought of that,” she says. “She’s clever. She comes up with lots of ideas.”
“Chaka is the Godzilla of chanteuses alive, and it was my honor to collaborate with her on this music,” Sia said in a statement.
CHAKZILLA THE ALBUM COMES OUT IN SEPTEMBER
Khan’s upcoming album, also called Chakzilla, is slated for release Sept. 18 via BMG Rights Management.
“It’s a really, really great album, a great CD with great songs. And t’s going to be on the pop dance side,” Khan said, “We’ve got lots of great people collaborating as well.”