There is no greater gift than time. As the official timepiece for the GRAMMYs, Bulova teamed up with The Recording Academy again to celebrate timeless music, which included a live performance by 10-time GRAMMY winner Chaka Khan.
The exclusive event began in the Clive Davis Theatre of the GRAMMY Museum, where producers, record executives and tastemakers filled each seat for a chance to sing along with one of the greatest singer/songwriters of our time. The event kicked off with a few words from Michael Benavente, managing director at Bulova, who shared his continued excitement for the partnership with the Recording Academy and announced that all first-time GRAMMY winners will receive a signature classic timepiece this year.
Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images
The GRAMMY Museum's Scott Goldman sat down for a one-on-one conversation with the R&B legend, whose illustrious career includes over 22 albums spanning over four decades. Khan, who has broken barriers in dance, gospel and rock, was charming, humble and eloquent in conversation. Her words were soft but powerful and intentional. She shared stories about her unique friendship with Joni Mitchell (the two icons are working on a tribute project together), her work with Prince, and winning her first GRAMMY.
"The first time I heard my song on the radio was actually after I won my first GRAMMY," she recalled. It’s clear from the conversation that Khan is in alignment with her gift, and understands the power of song. "Music is the language of angels," she told the audience.
(L-R) Grandmaster Caz, Chaka Khan and Grandmaster Melle Mel
Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Her words were powerful, her music even more so, delivering a powerhouse performance of a collection of flawless melodies including "I am Every Women," "Ain't Nobody" and "Sweet Thing." She glided on stage, both her and her backup singers draped in all black. The fan blew her signature messy hair, reminding everyone why she is a bonafide superstar. The multifaceted artist, who has inspired generations with her effortless vocals, continued to hit notes on stage that she once belted out in the '80s. In fact, Khan is working on a new dance album, her first in 12 years.
If the sound of her voice at the Bulova event and the enthusiastic audience participation are any indication, everyone is ready for more Chaka. The whole crowd was on their feet, including Grandmaster Caz and Melle Mel, rap pioneers hailing from the Bronx, N.Y. Khan penned the hit single "I Feel For You" in 1984 with Melle Mel, member of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. It was a platinum-selling smash was one of the first R&B/rap crossover hits. When asked what brought the two artists together, Khan responded, "Divine synchronicity."
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Guests heard and saw more of the hip-hop legends at the rooftop brunch that followed the performance, where Bulova announced its partnership with Grandmaster Caz and Melle Mel’s organization, Windows of Hip-hop, a nonprofit, Bronx-based economic development project promoting the educational, communal, and historical perspective of hip-hop.
"We’re really excited to partner with Bulova," Melle Mel said. "The goal is to help children make good choices, and get them more involved in their own education."
With all this jaw-dropping entertainment in the name of making such a positive impact, Bulova and the Recording Academy provided yet another reason to celebrate, sip champagne and roll out the red carpet during GRAMMY Week.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Take a (time)piece of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GRAMMYs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GRAMMYs</a> home with the Precisionist Special GRAMMY® Edition watch. Shop the full GRAMMY® collection now by clicking the link in our bio. Tune in all weekend at <a href="https://twitter.com/Bulova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bulova</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TuneOfTime?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TuneOfTime</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HistoryOfFirsts?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HistoryOfFirsts</a> @RecordingAcademy<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bulova?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bulova</a><br>⏱98B319 <a href="https://t.co/hNxdyyGT6T">pic.twitter.com/hNxdyyGT6T</a></p>— Bulova (@Bulova) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bulova/status/1094264846412066819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Hosted by Alicia Keys, the 61th GRAMMY Awards will take place at The Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb 10, airing live on CBS.
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(Lakeia Brown is a freelance writer and host of the podcast, Decoded with Elle Bee. She has been published in publications like O, The Oprah Magazine, Essence and Complex. You can follow her on IG @decodedwithellebee.)
