She continued, “The other day, I said, ‘Why the f**k are we still doing this?’ First of all, if you know me and you know who I am, you already have that information. And the second thing is, who wants to be asked about their childhood trauma every time they talk about their career? I’m 52 years old, and I have survived my childhood trauma.”

Riperton died of breast cancer at 31. She was a singer-songwriter from Chicago’s South Side who made her mark in the music industry with her timeless hit, “Lovin’ You,” which peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Charts on April 5, 1975. Riperton was also known for perfecting the five-octave range and using the whistle register, a distinct vocal register.

Minnie Riperton

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