After decades of hits, sold-out concerts, and one of the most recognizable voices in music history, Patti LaBelle embraces the title she says she fought for. In an interview with CBS News on the eve of her 82nd birthday, the singer made it clear she has no problem with being called a legend. «I love it,» she said with a laugh. «I should be called „Legend, Legend, Legend, Legend.“ Yeah. I love it. I deserve it.».
This moment comes just months after LaBelle signed a major royalty agreement with Primary Wave, covering income from her discography. The deal includes royalties tied to her entire oeuvre, which includes 18 studio albums and three live releases.
While financial details were not made public, the agreement puts LaBelle among a growing list of artists whose catalogs and royalty rights are becoming increasingly valuable in the music industry.
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LaBelle's career spans more than 60 years, from her youth in Philadelphia as Patsy Holt to becoming the face of the groundbreaking group Labelle and later a solo superstar.
During an interview on CBS, she spoke about how she was terribly shy as a child and used a broom as a makeshift microphone when singing in her bedroom.
She also recalled challenging moments in her rise in music, including a record company representative telling her she was "pretty ugly" and his advice to change her name to LaBelle.
«"It hurt me, it hurt so much," she said. "No matter what anyone says about me, I am who I am, and I'm not going to change.".
Under the name Labelle, the group pushed boundaries in the 1970s, using theatrical fashion and songs that challenged stereotypes about women in pop and soul music. Their biggest hit, "Lady Marmalade," became a cultural milestone and, decades later, was revived thanks to a remake of the film soundtrack. «"Moulin Rouge!"» featuring Christina Aguilera, Maya, Pink and Lil' Kim.
The original recording was subsequently added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.
Beyond music, LaBelle has expanded her business into food, cookware, and publishing best-selling cookbooks under her brand, Patti's Good Life. But she says performing remains a must for her.
«"This will never be my last performance," she said. "I'll sing until I can't anymore.".
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