Chaka Khan, the legendary multi-Grammy Award-winning artist, marked her illustrious 50-year career in the music industry with a captivating artist discussion at The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA. In an intimate setting preceding her sold-out mainstage performance on January 27, 2024, Chaka Khan engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue with Joel Flatow, Senior Vice President of Artist & Industry Relations at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), shedding light on her monumental impact on music.
The event, presented by The Luckman, provided an exclusive opportunity for invited guests to delve into the depths of Khan’s creative process, her diverse influences, and her enduring philanthropic endeavors.
During the commemorative occasion, Chaka Khan was honored with a special plaque from RIAA in collaboration with The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA, recognizing her unparalleled contributions to the industry over the last 50 years and an artistic excellence that has “forever shaped the music world.” Joining her and Joel Flatow on stage for this presentation were Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, CSU Chancellor Mildred García, Luckman Executive Director Nicholas Mestas, and Chaka Khan Enterprises COO Tammy Michelle.
Joel Flatow is the Senior Vice President of Artist & Industry Relations and Chief of West Coast Operations for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. He first joined the RIAA in 1995 to help mobilize grassroots, artist, and industry engagement to secure passage of the “Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995,” signed into law by President Clinton.
He opened the RIAA’s first West Coast operations office in September 2000, leading RIAA’s statewide relations, politics, and policy for California; helping to guide legislative efforts aimed at protecting and promoting a healthy environment for music and other intellectual property; as well as serving as liaison to entertainment and political figures in Los Angeles. Mr. Flatow created and heads the RIAA’s artist relations program, building relationships with individual recording artists; aiding in the development of national campaigns; and helping to produce major events on Capitol Hill and for Presidential National Conventions and Inaugurals. He helped build the association’s industry relations department, fostering joint activities among various constituencies of the music community and building coalitions to strengthen the voice of music creators – a role for which he was termed in a Los Angeles Times profile as “The RIAA’s Musical Diplomat.”
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)® advocates for recorded music and the people and companies that create it in the United States. RIAA’s several hundred members – ranging from major American music groups with global reach to artist-owned labels and small businesses – make up the world’s most vibrant and innovative music community, working to help artists reach their potential and connect with fans while supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs. RIAA also awards Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™, Diamond and Los Premios De Oro y Platino™ certifications for sales/streaming successes.