EXCLUSIVE: Patti LaBelle Not Stopping At 82, Reveals First R&B Album In 20 Years On the Way
In a world where “legend” is overused, the title fits Patti LaBelle perfectly as she is preparing to take over Brooklyn’s Prospect Park in New York City on June 26. She exclusively tells The Root that a new R&B album is on the way, and she shares her thoughts on modern technology, specifically artificial intelligence, and the pitfalls of AI in its depictions and the false narratives that come with it.
Although LaBelle has not left the spotlight or business, she has been building her empire over the years. Having written six books and appeared in many films, television shows (including her own “Out All Night”), and Broadway shows, it’s puzzling how she can do anything else. Oh, and we can’t forget “Patti’s Good Life,” with those pies, frozen comfort foods, and breakfast items satisfying our stomachs. But let’s not forget that she STAYS performing year-round. Yet, she says that one of the things she misses is putting out an album!
“I have not done an album in 20 years. I’ve been working on that for the last, actually, the last year. So that’s what I want, to finish and get it out to you guys soon, sooner than later.”
We have not heard a new project since the 2017 jazz album “Bel Hommage,” her first in that genre, released on her own GPE Records. “Miss Patti’s Christmas” was released 10 years earlier, so this forthcoming one will be her first R&B album since 2005’s “Classic Moments.” We should anticipate classic Patti LaBelle, as she plans to do “age-appropriate music.”
“ Well, I hope at 82 that I do age-appropriate music, I can’t do a young girl song, you know, has to go with who I am. And that’s very important to me to make sure that I don’t try to do something that I’m not. It’s always gonna be something that I really feel that represents Patti LaBelle.”
Related: You Won’t Believe How One Record Exec Described Patti LaBelle Back in the Day
LaBelle says she is very low-key and boring when not in public view, but although we may not see that, she admits she would agree to being called a legend, and it’s well deserved.
“How does it feel to be labeled a legend? It feels wonderful. I don’t take anything for granted. When I’m called certain things, I’ll say yes to that dress, or I’ll say no, I’m not worthy, or it’s not Patti. But legend, I’ll take it, because I’ve been doing it for so many years, and I’ve been doing it and not upsetting too many people, so I take that as a compliment, a great compliment.”
She also has mixed feelings about modern technology, criticizing how AI has spread false rumors about her. Although she realizes it’s not going anywhere, she takes a light-hearted approach to it since it’s here to stay.
“I think AI might be good for some things, but for Patti LaBelle, it’s a hot mess. I’ve been through so many things with AI. I just had a facelift, they said, a body lift. An abortion, I’m 82, how am I gonna have a baby? Just awful things that they’ve been saying about me, but you know, I listen to it, and I look at it, and I smile. I said, Okay, they thought that much of me to make people say, Well, I wonder, when did Patti have that abortion, you know? Right. Awful, awful stuff, but I just say, Well, to each his own, whatever makes them happy, uh, I can’t stop it. It’s gonna happen no matter what I think.”
Closing the interview, she expresses a heartfelt wish for more peace in the world, especially in light of ongoing violence and harm affecting communities.
“I would like for the world to become a peaceful world. That’s what I would love. Most of us are in a bad place today because of certain things, and you know what that is.”
“I’m praying for a better peace. We’ll have no more things that are killing our kids, and just so many ugly things that are happening in the world. I’m praying for peace.”
