Chaka Khan has declared herself "partnered out" at 73, saying she is not searching for another relationship as she prepares to release her first new album in seven years.

The Queen of Funk discussed her love life in a new interview while promoting Chakzilla, which is released on September 18 through her EarthSong Records label under licence to BMG. The 10-track record follows 2019's Hello Happiness and includes collaborations with Sia, Snoop Dogg and Lenny Kravitz.

Asked by The Observer in her latest chat about the lyric "I've been waiting all my life for this moment" on the title track and what she was still waiting for, Chaka said: "I don't want to discuss that, because if I talk too much about what I would like to have, somebody will try to arrange it for me. So I'm just going to mosey along and let life do what it do."

She added: "One of them is not necessarily a partner. I'm not looking for that. I'm partnered out."

Chaka married Hassan Khan when she was 17, with the marriage ending the following year.

She later married Richard Holland in 1976 and they divorced in 1980.

Chaka and Richard have a son, Damien, while she also has a daughter, Indira, with Rahsaan Morris.

The singer has previously spoken about the difficulties she experienced separating her private identity, Yvette Stevens, from the Chaka Khan persona within relationships.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2017 about her marriages, Chaka said: "Both times I was constantly wondering which person they loved: Chaka Khan or the real me - Yvette Stevens."

She added: "It would take a man of biblical proportions for me to marry again."

Chaka also said at the time: "I don't have time for a man unless he can bring something big to the table, like a huge amount of money."

Her latest comments come during a renewed period of activity for a career spanning more than five decades.

Chaka first became famous as the lead singer of Rufus, recording hits including Tell Me Something Good, written by Stevie Wonder, and Ain't Nobody.

She launched her solo career in 1978 with I'm Every Woman, which was later recorded by Whitney Houston for The Bodyguard.

Her other best-known recordings include I Feel for You, written by Prince, and Through the Fire.

She has won 11 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

Her life and music have also reached the stage this summer through I'm Every Woman - The Chaka Khan Musical, which opened in London in July, with Alexandra Burke portraying the singer.

Chaka's new record has been largely co-written with Sia, who also appears on it.

Chaka told The Observer Sia had complained she was "sick and tired of not hearing (Chaka) on the radio". The pair have developed a close friendship, with Chaka becoming Sia's godmother.

The album also marks another chapter in Chaka's long history with Prince, who wrote I Feel for You.

Her 1984 recording of the song sold more than one million copies and won two Grammys.

Chaka has also credited Prince with helping her during her struggles with drugs and encouraging her to seek treatment.

She said of him: "He plucked me out of a place where I was trying to survive. My record company (was) in my ass, being the meanest people on the planet. I felt like I was being pimped. I cried a lot, because I was falling out of love with music. I was ready to throw in the towel, and then Prince came along."

Chaka also addressed assumptions about her private life during the interview after she was described as a "straight icon" for queer visibility.

She replied: "Am I? How do you know what the f*** I am? I don't ever share that part of my life. That's nobody's business but mine."

Chaka added: "I am for everybody. I don't care what you sleep with at night. If your heart is in the right place, that's all I care about."

The singer's latest single, Curious Subject, is out now, while Chakzilla is scheduled for release on September 18.