Chaka Khan Apologizes After Dissing Mary J. Blige & Mariah Carey

Nothing says happy International Women’s Day like female artists tearing each other down.

On The Originals podcast, The Queen of Funk Chaka Khan, 70, was asked her opinion on being No. 29 on Rolling Stone‘s 200 Greatest Singers list.

At first, the singer dismissed the list since she never heard of it. “These people don’t quantify or validate me in any way,” she said. But once she learned of some of the singers ahead of her, she started singing a different tune.

50 BEST CELEBRITY BIKINIS SLIDESHOW!

Finding out that Adele made No. 22 and Mary J Blige came in at No. 25 nearly sent her over, proclaiming that she quit the podcast.

Khan didn’t have anything to say about Beyoncé coming in at No. 8, but after learning of Mariah Carey‘s placement at No. 5, the singer let her feelings be known.

When speaking about the Rolling Stone critics, Khan said, “They are blind as a motherf—ing bat! They need hearing aids. These must be the children of Helen Keller.”

After the interview came out, Khan released an apology. “As artists, we are unfairly put into ‘boxes,’ ‘categories,’ or on ‘lists.’ Being an artist or musician is not a competition. It’s a gift, for which I am truly grateful,” she said. “It was not my intention to cause pain or upset anyone. To anyone that felt this way, I sincerely apologize.”

“Thank you for all the love everyone has shown me, unconditionally. I have always been about empowering others and I started a foundation for that very purpose. I will be announcing soon,” she continued. “Empowering all artists is most important because we truly are the architects of change… and change begins within the heart. I love you all and God bless.”